As cold as ever + some showers of fine rain + hail. More snow on hills. Went along to the Reporter office¹ about notice for medal presentation². Called for Smith³ at County Building about same. Walked to Forest Mill + Dunsdale. Motored to Philiphaugh Stables to Mrs McDonald [and] found her sinking. Went back at 7.30 to find she had died at 6!⁴ David⁵ left for London at night. He came up + arranged things. A man Miles⁶ was sent up to Viewfield from … [?] Mill with a cut hand which I stitched. He turned out to be a patient of Hiddleston’s⁷.

¹ The Southern Reporter office, High Street, Selkirk

² Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland, was to award medals at the Victoria Hall on 30th March to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

³ Smith, County Buildings, has not been identified with confidence though it could refer to Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and Sheriff Substitute for Selkirkshire, who was to be part of the medal ceremony being planned for the 30th March

⁴ Jessie McDonald née Campbell, died 22 March 1922, at Philiphaugh Stables, Selkirk, of bronchitis and cardiac failure, aged 70; she was the wife of George McDonald, estate forester

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁶ This may refer to Thomas Miles, mill manager, Proprietor Occupier of a house and garden at Parkside, 84 Forest Road, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/298, Selkirk Burgh, page 298 of 644]

⁷ John Murray Hiddleston (1891-1954), L.R.C.P.S., L.R.F.P.S., medical practitioner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

A powdering of snow on the ground + some fine snow falling. Bright during the day but the snow never melted in shade. Some showers of snow in afternoon. Bitterly cold again N.E. Motored to Peelburnfoot, Faldonside Stables + Upper F. to see Katie¹ the maid who has had a lot of varicose veins removed by Pussy Stewart². Was in house all afternoon reading up the Hospital question.

¹ Katie has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² William James ‘Pussy’ Stuart (1873-1959), C.B.E., M.B., F.R.C.S.Ed., medical practitioner, consultant surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and sometime president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Born 17 December 1873, at 7 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh (but not registered until 6 March 1874), the son of the Reverend Doctor John Stuart, Minister of St Andrew’s Parish, Edinburgh, and Jessie Stuart née Duncan, married 14 May 1867 at Edinburgh. Sources: the British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 5122, 1959, pp. 652–652. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25386853. Accessed 31 Oct. 2022.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Bitterly cold. Cheviot + Ettrick hills white + a little snow on Newark. Some Wind N. Some snow in afternoon. Bright sunshine in forenoon + at intervals. Cycled to Cotfield Cottage¹ to see Wm Welsh². Very stiff riding as the roads were soft³. Walked down to Hospital +c. Betsy Welsh⁴ off her chump again.

¹ Cotfield, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NT532,226, near Harelaw and just south of the Drove Road which heads in a generally WNW direction from the intersection at Harden Cottage just south of Esdalelaw, crosses the A7 at Grundistone Heights and eventually leads to St Boswells, see Ordnance Survey 6 inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIX, published 1863

² William Welsh, ploughman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house at Cotfield, Lilliesleaf [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/884, Roxburgh County, page 884 of 993]

³ The state of the roads was a preoccupation to Dr Muir as a cyclist, with different weather having a very direct influence on their state (wet and warm conditions making them soft) before they were laid with modern tarmac

⁴ Betsy Welsh has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Still very cold but dry till about 3 when there was sleet + rain. Message to Walt. Reid¹, Blackandro. Cycled to Faldonside (Maycock² still in pain asked D.³ to see him), Allanlea⁴, Peelburnfoot, Beechwood + Blackandro. Luckily got back before the rain came on. In afternoon [word deleted] read up the Hospital question. Went to evening service. Jack⁵ + David came to supper.

¹ Walter Reid, woodman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house at Blackandrew, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/376, Selkirk County, page 376 of 611]

² George James Maycock (1877-1957), born March Quarter 1877, Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire March Quarter 1877, Rugby 6d 626, in 1901 he was a servant in London (St George Hanover Square) but to a Scottish family (Baird) which may explain his move to Scotland, he married, 7 June 1907, at Monzie Parish Church, Crieff, Catherine Gow of Monzie, born Braco, Perthshire, aged 32, in 1911 Census he was a butler (domestic) aged 34 at Yair, born England and in the WW1 Service Record he is of Yair House, Selkirk; described as a poultry farmer, retired, he died 29 Nov 1957, aet 80, at Crieff Cottage Hospital, usual residence Tuckethill [Tuchethill], Dollerie, Perthshire, son of James Maycock, shoemaker, and Elizabeth née Hartley

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁴ Thomas Stenhouse (about 1865-1929), coachman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Allanlea Lodge, Caddonfoot [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/362, Selkirk County, page 362 of 611]

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and Dr Muir’s son-in-law

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Dull cold morning but calm. The sun came out after midday + it was quite pleasant. I walked to Rosemount¹ + Tower Street + then cycled to Linglie Cottages² + Peelburnfoot. Mich. Glendinning³ i.s.q.⁴ but weaker. Was called in to Allanlea to see Tom Stenhouse⁵ with lumbago + came round by Hospital + Mavisbank. At 5.30 got message to Maycock⁶, Faldonside + found him suffering severe [illegible word] pain: might be diaphragmatic pleurisy. Bella⁷ gave up her place in a fit of temper because Helen⁸ reported a remark of Erskine Harper⁹ that he had seen her at the window!¹⁰

¹ Mrs Pattison, referred to as at Rosemount the day before, is not identified; the Kirkpatrick family was at Rosemount so that would suggest she was a servant, it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² It is possible that Dr Muir is at Linglie Cottages to see a member of the Bell family

³ Michael Glendinning (d.1922), farmer / retired farmer, tenant occupier, house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish [1919 + 1920 Valuation Rolls] and formerly the tenant at Williamhope [1905 Valuation Roll; he died at Peelburnfoot, 19 April 1922, death certified by Dr J S Muir M.B. and was the son of William Glendinning, shepherd, and Alison Glendinning née Scott and the widower of Euphemia Riddle

⁴ In Status Quo, medical or scientific

⁵ Thomas Stenhouse (about 1865-1929), coachman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Allanlea Lodge, Caddonfoot [1922, Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/362, Selkirk County, page 362 of 611]

⁶ George James Maycock (1877-1957), Born March Quarter 1877, Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire March Quarter 1877, Rugby 6d 626. In 1901 he was a servant in London (St George Hanover Square) but to a Scottish family (Baird) which may explain his move to Scotland. Married, 7 June 1907, at Monzie Parish Church, Crieff, Catherine Gow of Monzie, born Braco, Perthshire, aged 32. In 1911 Census he was a butler (domestic) aged 34 at Yair, born England. In WW1 Service Record he is of Yair House, Selkirk. A poultry farmer, retired, died 29 Nov 1957, aet 80, at Crieff Cottage Hospital, usual residence Tuckethill [Tuchethill], Dollerie, Perthshire, son of James Maycock, shoemaker, and Elizabeth MS Hartley.

⁷ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁹ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953), barrister, son of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson married 20 April 1886 at Hamilton, Lanarks, and died 10 Dec 1953, aged 66, at the Cottage Hospital, Dunoon, usual residence Heath Bank, Blairmore, Dunoon & Kilmun, the informant was his sister Agnes Durnford nee Harper q.v. of Caerbadon House, Cleveland Walk, Bath (now known as Brandon House); he was divorced from Gladys Gilroy whom he had married 1914 at Liverpool

¹⁰ The Editor can only imagine that Bella has resigned because Harper had seen her in a state of undress

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

A little rain in the morning but quite fair after 9. Had a very small list which I did walking. Saw about getting the Victoria Hall for the presentation of medals¹ + hope to get it gratis. Spent the afternoon at accounts + sent the book down to David² who says he can type them in a very short time.

¹ There was to be an event at the Victoria Hall on the evening of 30th March at which medals were to be awarded to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [source: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Bright sunshine just for a short time + then mist all round though not dense. Ver calm E [wind]. Cycled to Rosemount¹ + then to Singlee Inch to see Robert Laidlaw² who though only 56 has got too stiff to work. Met the visiting committee at the Hospital with Kennedy³ + Dittmar⁴ about the quarantine [illegible]. Wrote Jean⁵, Rennie⁶ + Scott Plummer⁷, the latter to tell him that Wallace⁸ was going to present the War Service medals. Mrs Mack⁹ gave a lovely salmon steak for breakfast this morning. Letter from Patrick¹⁰.

¹ Mrs Pattison, referred to as at Rosemount the day before, is not identified; the Kirkpatrick family was at Rosemount so that would suggest she was a servant, it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Robert Laidlaw, roadman, was tenant at [Singlie] Inch, Kirkhope [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/372, Selkirk County, page 372 of 611]

³ William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D., D.P.H. and Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer for Selkirkshire, 1921-about 1924

⁴ Assume Frederick Dittmar (1869-1934), M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer to the Scottish Board of Health, later the Department of Health for Scotland [birth, 1869, 685/5 246, Newington; death, Sep Quarter 1934, Dittmar, Frederick, Newbury 2c 258; obituary, “Dr. Frederick Dittmar.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3839, BMJ, 1934, pp. 236–236, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25321903.%5D

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁶ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and widower of Catherine Stewart Muir, thus Dr Muir’s brother in law; living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

⁷ Assume Charles Henry Scott Plummer (1859-1948), of Middlestead, and Sunderland Hall, J.P.; Lord-Lieutenant of Selkirk 1919-1948; the Editor imagines that Scott Plummer would have expected an event like this to be given to him

⁸ Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland, was invited to award medals at the Victoria Hall on 30th March to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

⁹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

¹⁰ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Hoar frost again but less … + dense fog. It was calm + dry but the sun hardly even came through. I finished my report before going onto give [?] Mrs Pattison¹, Rosemount (formerly 34 Tower Street) chlor[oform] + replaced her retroverted uterus + applied a Hodge [pessary]. Attended meeting of Hospital Committee. Saw Minnie Brown² re presentation of medals by Wallace³. At 5.20 at Home gave Walt. Miller⁴ chlor[oform] to have an abscess in his wounded arm opened.

¹ Mrs Pattison is not identified; the Kirkpatrick family was at Rosemount so that would suggest she was a servant, it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Minnie Mackay Brown (1874-1966), teacher and V.A.D. nurse who served in Egypt and France 1916-1919

³ Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland, was invited to award medals at the Victoria Hall on 30th March to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

⁴ Walter Miller is unidentified and does not appear to have been referred to by Dr Muir recently, it may be possible to identify him when the 1921 Census is published later this year

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Sharp hoar frost this morning + a day of continuous brilliant sunshine with a nippy E. wind slight. Cycled to Hill Street +c, Briarbank, Forest Terrace, Forest Mill, Magdalen Cottage, Halliday’s Park + then to Elmpark, Mavisbank, … [and] Philiphaugh Stables. Started making out my half yearly Hospital report. Maggie Warwick¹ is seriously ill at Viewfield with pneumonia.

¹ Margaret ‘Maggie’ Warwick née Jackson (1875-1944), daughter of William Jackson, shepherd, and Margaret Jackson née Jackson; born 1875, Castleton, Roxburghshire, she married Andrew Warwick, gamekeeper, and lived at Shielshaugh

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Dull up till midday + then a glorious clear sharp sunny day. David¹ came up + we talked over things. Mrs Johnstone², Forest Road, widow of the Slater + Mrs Bell³, Chapel Place: died last week. D. told me that Viewfield Lodge is to let + we offered for it for night nurses. I saw some town cases + cycled to Yair (Turnbull) + Peelburnfoot returning by Bridge St. Mills + Hospital. Had a big crowd in at night. Had an extraordinary letter from Gladys Tait⁴ (daughter of the late Thomas Tait) who is a gymnastics teacher at Peebles asking for a loan of £30. I replied declining.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

² Margaret Johnstone née Redpath, widow of John Johnstone, slater, died 9 March 1922 at 123 Forest Road, Selkirk, aged 75, certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B.; she was the daughter of John Redpath, farm servant, and Agnes Redpath née Wightman

³ Margaret Bell née McLiskie, widow of John Bell, plumber, died 6 March 1922 at 3 Chapel Place, Selkirk, aged 75, certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B.; she was the daughter of James McLiskie, rope and sail manufacturer, and Isabella McLiskie née Abbey

⁴ Mary Gladys Tait (1897-1982), the daughter of Thomas Tait (died 1918), tweed manufacturer, and Annie Louisa Tait née Pordige; born Blairlogie, Stirlingshire, she was at Rowanbank, Selkirk with her family in the 1901 and 1911 Census, and died March Quarter 1982, at Poole, Dorset

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]