Heavy blasts of sleety rain with sunny breaks

Rose 6.30 + was down at breakfast first time since March 23^rd. My back is quite well. I never got rid of a severe attack so quickly but the briny taste of the salycitates in my mouth quite takes away my appetite. Saw only half a dozen. town cases + drove to Philiphaugh to see Grace.¹ Had lunch there. Dr Barr², his wife + daughter, Chas. + Walt. Dunlop³ + a man Brock from Faughill⁴ were there. Went on to Broadmeadows where I saw Willie Eddie Hamilton⁵ + pulled a tooth for R J.⁶ Had tea. Walked round to old Jo. Rutherford.⁷

¹ Assume Grace Strang Steel (1884-1954), daughter of William Strang Steel of Philiphaugh and Rosetta Edith Barber, daughter of the late Samuel Barber, formerly of Demerara and of Hillhead, County Antrim.

² There is not enough information given to identify Dr Barr with any confidence.

³ Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922) of Whitmuirhall and his son Walter Dunlop (1871-1941).

⁴ Hugh Bulkeley Price Brock (1871-1928), farmer, at Faughill, Bowden, Roxburghshire, 1911 Census (in Dunbartonshire 1891 and 1901). Sometime of Brasenose College, Oxford, and later of Bannachra, Helensburgh, he was the son of Henry Brock, master Turkey Red dyer, and Elizabeth Slade Price, married 1863 at Liverpool. Hugh Brock left £100,445 16s 6d.

⁵ Edward William ‘Willie Eddie’ Hamilton (1893-), son of Charles Gipps Hamilton (1857–1955) and Anna Gertrude Montgomerie Hamilton née Lang (1864-1937). Edward was therefore the grandson of Hugh Morris Lang and Margaret Lang née Graham.

⁶ Perhaps Robert James ‘RJ’ Lang (1855–1914), married to Jane Eliza Scott Plummer (1858–1901), father of Hugh Cyril Lang (1881-1957), Cicely Jane Lang (1883-1951), who appears elsewhere in these diaries, and Josephine Margaret Lang (1884–1982), later Taylor of Chipchase Castle, Barrasford, Northumberland.

⁷ John Rutherford (about 1826-1904), garden labourer, was recorded at Old Broadmeadows in the 1901 Census with Betsy Rutherford, his stepdaughter and housekeeper. His wife Isabella Hogarth had died some time previously.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Feeling my back much better today. Was not out of town + did a list [of patients] driving.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Got an urgent wire this morning from Crook Cottage¹ + asking me to send Wilson² if I could not go myself. There was also a message to Grace [?] Steel³ so I decided to venture. My back was still painful but much better. It was a windy day with severe blasts of snow + sleet + fine intervals. Walked down Forest Road to Buccleuch Road where Baptie⁴ picked me up driving Macaulay⁵ in the dog cart.⁶ Before starting I attended Mrs Jas. Lawton, Elmrow who had a daughter.⁷ Got away about 12. Took some lunch for self + Baptie. Called at Bowhill where Mrs Cruickshank⁸ gave a [sic] me a nice hot cup of coffee + I took off my boots + kept my feet pretty warm. We got a terrible blizzard between Gilmanscleuch + Newburgh. The fine hail stung our faces like millions of minute needles. It iced from [?] Tushielaw. Found that Mrs Johnston has developed tubercle in both apices. Got home about 7.30. Wilson saw Ann Dobson, Elmrow⁹ for me.

¹ Dr Muir had been attending Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (about 1853-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage..

² John Wilson (about 1873-1916), M.B., medical practitioner, of Kirkbrae, Selkirk.

³ Assume Grace Strang Steel (1884-1954), daughter of William Strang Steel of Philiphaugh and Rosetta Edith Barber, daughter of the late Samuel Barber, formerly of Demerara and of Hillhead, County Antrim.

⁴ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

⁵ Macaulay was one of Dr Muir’s horses.

⁶ This seems to settle the argument as to whether Dr Muir is referring to a motorised or a horse-drawn dog-cart at this time – see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 March 1904.

⁷ Isabella Maud Lawton, born 1 April 1904 at 9 Elm Row, Selkirk, the daughter of James Lawton, shoemaker, and Justina Lawton née Weir. Her parents had married 28 December 1894 at Galashiels.

⁸ Margaret Cruickshank (1854-1923), housekeeper at Bowhill, Selkirk. Born Gamrie, Banffshire, she was the daughter of George Cruickshank and Margaret Cruickshank née Duff.

⁹ Anne Dobson (1887-), recorded with her family at Elm Row, Selkirk [1901 Census]. The daughter of John Dobson and Mary Dobson née Davidson, she had six brothers and sister at the time of that Census.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Another brilliant morning but still cold. Had a rather bad night with coughing + lumbago. Am taking Salol + Sal Sol at 5 grs several times a day.¹ Drove in the Stanhope² to [word deleted] Buxton³, Mavisbank, Hospital, Cooperative Mill⁴, Blackhaugh⁵ + Sunderland [and] was fairly comfortable. Have begun my annual report. Did not see any one at night. Wire to go to Crook Cottage⁶ tomorrow.

¹ The Editor speculates that this reads as shown above, presumably meaning that Dr Muir was taking phenyl salicylate as a pharmaceutical, sold at this time under the commercial name Salol. However, if this is correct then Dr Muir seems to have repeated the Sal implicit in the Salol. Better interpretations welcome.

² The Editor’s judgment is that this is a Stanhope as a light horse-drawn gig or buggy rather than an imported Stanhope car.

³ Presumably Dr Muir was going to the Infectious Diseases Hospital near Buxton Cottage, just below the Selkirk Hills.

⁴ Ettrick Mill, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk. It was purchased by the Scottish Co-operative Society in 1901 [Canmore].

⁵ Blackhaugh, in Caddonfoot Parish, grid reference NGR NT42355,38350, must have been on the very edge of Dr Muir’s practice. For more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 15 March 1904.

⁶ Crook Cottage, near Overkirkhope, Ettrick, grid reference NGR NT217,123.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

The distant hills were white today. I was feeling much better as far as my catarrh was concerned but I was seized with a very severe spasm of lumbago after breakfast. I took it on my way to the kitchen to warm my feet. With great difficulty I got into the dog-cart¹ + drove to Newhouse to see Mrs Elliot² + had to be helped into the trap when leaving there. Did not go out again. It was fair but a cold wind.

¹ Dr Muir’s Mo-Car (manufactured since the 1890s by the Mo-Car Syndicate which was to become the Arrol-Johnston Car Company Ltd. in 1905) was a ‘dogcart’ – i.e. with transverse seats back-to-back. Since Dr Muir was still calling it a Mocar [sic] in 1913 it is reasonable to assume it was actually a Mo-Car, not an Arrol-Johnston. However Dr Muir calling it a trap here would seem to suggest that he actually took a pony and trap to Newhouse, even if he had by this date acquired a motorised version. As this transcription endeavours to plug the gap in the published diaries (currently between 1904 and mid-1914) it may at some time be possible to answer this question.

² Since January 1904 Dr Muir had been attending Joan Elliot née Lambert (about 1853-1929), wife of James Elliot (about 1845-), farmer, Tenant Occupier of the farm and house of Newhouse, Lilliesleaf. Born Bowden and Castleton respectively, they had married 28 June 1876 at Bowden, Roxburghshire.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Fair in morning I was able to see a few town cases walking in the forenoon + examined boy for birching at the County Buildings.¹ Jack² rode to Old Broadmeadows for me to enquire for John Rutherford³ + he + Maud Logan⁴ dined here at night. Nancy⁵ was in bed with a cold + I did not feel able to appear. Snow showers in the afternoon.

¹ The Editor is reasonably confident that this is the correct reading here. This is possible, if surprising, as the judicial penalty of birching adults and children was not abolished in Great Britain until 1948.

² John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

³ John Rutherford, garden labourer, widow of Isabella Hogarth. He lived at Broadmeadows, Selkirk. He was 77. The 1901 Census locates him more precisely at Yarrow Road, Old Broadmeadows and living there with his daughter Betsy Rutherford, 57, described as “housekeeper”. He was recorded as born at Mordington, Berwickshire and Betsy as born at Melrose, Roxburghshire.

⁴ Maud Logan is so far unidentified.

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Letter from Patrick¹

Had a much better night with 2 Ankik + Heroin tablets² + felt quite different. Temp 99.4 at 6. Rose after breakfast + remained up all day. Did some accounts posting with Dora.³ Cough still troublesome. Geo. Rodger⁴ + Mr Ross⁵ called at tea time. Fine in morning but very wet after 2. Jean⁶ drove to Kirkhope Howford⁷ + took Nancy,⁸ Maud Logan⁹ + Fairy¹⁰ with her.

¹ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

² It is unclear what this medication was.

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.

⁴ Assume George Frederick Eck Rodger (1873-1956), son of George Rodger and Elizabeth Charlotte Eck. George Rodger junior was at one time the proprietor of Bridgelands, Selkirk.

⁵ Assume the Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), Church of Scotland clergyman, who had moved to Selkirk in 1903 and lived at Ettrick Terrace with his wife Elizabeth Elder Ross née Sinclair.

⁶ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter.

⁷ Howford, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire.

⁸ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁹ Maud Logan is so far unidentified.

¹⁰ Euphemia Cranston ‘Fairy’ Roberts née Greenwood (1877-1916), wife of Charles Henry ‘Charlie’ Roberts (1877-1954), tweed manufacturer.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

“Oh I have passed a miserable night.” The cough was incessant with a moist irritating cooing rattle at the bottom of the trachea. It was distinctly worse when I lay on my right side but when evening came I was really very exhausted. Besides I could take very little food. However my temperature was down to 99.4 which of course made a mighty difference in my feelings. Meikle¹ was very kind. He called in the morning [and he] saw Mr Hewie² at Yarrowford for me, as he was going to Broadmeadows + then Baptie³ drove him to Cannon Street, Fairnilea + Ashybank in the afternoon.

¹ Robert William Meikle (1870-1962), L.R.C.P. Edinburgh, living at Gowanbrae, Selkirk around 1904 [sources: Medical Register 1903 and Valuation Rolls, 1904] but moved to England between 1908 and early 1911.

² Perhaps James Hewie, grocer and postmaster at Yarrowford.

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Today saw the culmination of the worst of my colds I have ever had. Had no appetite. Kept bed all day. Jean¹ drove over to Fairnilea to ask for Mrs Smith.² Nancy³ + Maud Logan⁴ went with her. I got [?] more feverish till about 5 my temp was 103°. I began to get frightened + reflected that I had never yet enquired about wicker coffins. Took 6 comp. Pharmaceutical Tabloid⁵ in 3 doses at intervals of an hour + had a most copious perspiration which relieved me greatly. Sent for Meikle⁶ who examined me but could find nothing wrong. I had tried it myself with the [?]. This cough continued most harassing + hard + gave me no rest. Pollok⁷ called in the afternoon.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter.

² It is not possible to identify Mrs Smith because she and her husband William Smith, forester, were only recorded at Robin’s Nest, Caddonfoot in the 1904 and 1905 Valuation Rolls and there is no clue where they came from or later departed for.

³ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁴ Maud Logan is so far unidentified.

⁵ A helpful reader suggests that this must have been phenacetin, a pain killer and antipyretic introduced in 1887 in Elberfeld, Germany by Bayer. It was used principally as an analgesic and was one of the first synthetic fever reducers to go to market. It is no longer available.

⁶ Robert William Meikle (1870-1962), L.R.C.P. Edinburgh, living at Gowanbrae, Selkirk around 1904 [sources: Medical Register 1903 and Valuation Rolls, 1904] but moved to England between 1908 and early 1911. phenacetin, a pain killer and antipyretic.

⁷ John Pollok (1858-1938), solicitor, Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Change to bitterly cold weather again though dry till the afternoon when there was some steely hail. Still feeling very unwell. Temp nearly 102°. Took about 20 grs of [?] + Quinine which brought it down to 99.6. Would have stayed in all day but got an urgent message from Mrs Smith, Robin’s Nest¹ so drove there + came back by Ashybank + Mavisbank. Nancy² cycled over to Fairnilea with medicine for Mrs S.

¹ It is not possible to identify Mrs Smith because she and her husband William Smith, forester, were only recorded at Robin’s Nest, Caddonfoot in the 1904 and 1905 Valuation Rolls and there is no clue where the came from or departed for.

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]