Still cold + damp but almost no rain. I was knocked up at 6.30 to see poor Mrs Mitchell¹ at Viewfield. She has got some congestion of the right lung which eventually developed into Septic Pneumonia. At night she was very feeble. I got a message to Mark Woodger² + Dav.³ asked me to go to see Ad. Halliday⁴ where I also saw the boy Riddell⁵ at Wellfield. Drew £75 from Bank to pay accounts + taxes. Helen⁶ went with Mrs Mac⁷ to a concert + theatricals in aid of the Russian Famine Fund⁸.

¹ Agnes Waugh Mitchell née Tait (about 1876-1922), the wife of Thomas Henry Cook Michell, baker, see also Dr Muir’s diary entry for 12 January 1922

² Mark Sprot Woodger, retired coachman, was Proprietor Occupier at Ashybank, Lilliesleaf (1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/555, Roxburgh County, page 555 of 993]

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

⁴ It seems that the visits are all at Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire but the Editor cannot identify an Adam Halliday there (though there was one such at Galashiels at this time and in 1911 there was an Adam Halliday aged 15 at Melrose – perhaps the 1921 Census will clarify this)

⁵ Presumably a child of James Brunton Riddell, draper, who was Tenant Occupier of a house and garden at Wellfield, Lilliesleaf [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/554, Roxburgh County, page 554 of 993]

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁷ Though Dr Muir invariably calls her ‘Mrs Mack’ the Editor suspects this reads ‘Mrs Mac’ and therefore also refers to Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁸ When the Russian harvest failed in 1921, the economy had been undermined by years of mismanagement, war and disaster. Appeals were made to the outside world which raised large sums of money which were used to open feeding centres in the face of adverse climate and a wrecked infrastructure. By summer 1923, the famine was over and up to 675,000 people had been fed. [see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 10 November 1921 for more detail and for a wider context see Giannandrea Poesio and Alexis Weedon, University of Bedfordshire ‘Konstantin Somov and Hugh Walpole in Russia’]

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

Colder today + a very slight powdering of snow on the hills. Some heavy showers of rain + blinks of sunshine. Motored to Beechwood + Deuchar Mill returning by Dunsdale Cottage [and] Hospital. Dav.¹ came at 1 + we finally settled all the summary cards² + I sent them away. Saw some cases after + arranged accounts for paying amounting to £131.14.0. Helen³ + Mrs Mack⁴ went to the Young People’s Guild Meeting⁵. Mrs Mack brought me a bottle of whisky. Announcement of Mr [illegible] death⁶.

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

² The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership had changed its administration and Dr Muir was undertaking onerous work on record cards which included the so-called Summary cards

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁵ The Young People’s Guild appears to be a church institution

⁶ The Editor speculates that this refers to the death of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922), CVO OBE FRGS FRSGS, Antarctic explorer, who died 5 January 1922 at Grytviken, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; alternative suggestions welcomed!

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

Dail Eireann¹ have ratified the treaty but only by a majority of 7 [note above text for 9 January entry]

A dull mild day with incessant rain except for a short time towards dusk. David² was to have appeared in the Burgh Court for a Viewfield³ chimney on fire but he was called to confinement at Cacraside⁴. I saw 5 town cases for him and went up to Essenside⁵. After tea put up a whole lot of Record cards + envelopes to return to Gala. Got a Calendar from Pat⁶ enclosing a card for Jean⁷.

¹ On Saturday 7 January 1922 Dáil Éireann ratified the Anglo-Irish Treaty which had been signed on 6 December 1921

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

³ Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, now the Viewfield Medical Centre

⁴ Assume Isabella Mary Davidson, born Cacraside, Ettrick, the daughter of Simon Dalgleish Davidson, shepherd, and Eliza Mary Davidson née Anderson; the parents had married 25 March 1921 at Hyndhope, Kirkhope, at which time Simon was at Broadgairhill, Kirkhope [birth 1922, Isabella Mary Davidson, Statutory registers Births 774/B 1, page 1 of 5; parents’ marriage 25 March 1921 Kirkhope, Davidson, Simon Dalgleish and Anderson, Eliza Mary, Statutory registers marriages 776/ 1, page 1 of 4]

⁵ Essenside, Ashkirk, perhaps to see the Heard family

⁶ Assume Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁷ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

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

Nice day: mostly fair but a slight shower in afternoon. Felt much better today. Acting on David’s¹ suggestion got Robert Beattie² into Viewfield. He was thoroughly cleaned + at night his temp. was normal! I motored Turnbull, Yair³ and returned by Bridgelands + Hospital⁴. Was not at church. Toiled at record + Summary cards + got the whole business finished⁵. I shall not get into such another muddle.

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

² Robert Beattie, labourer, of 39 Kirkwynd, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/160, Selkirk Burgh, page 160 of 644]

³ James Hall Turnbull (1874-1961), gamekeeper, Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Yair Stables, Caddonfoot [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/306, Selkirk County, page 306 of 611]

⁴ There is no certainty as to which of the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s sites this is, either Mauldsheugh or the Infection Diseases Hospital

⁵ The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership had changed its administration and Dr Muir was undertaking onerous (and prolonged) work on record and Summary cards

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

Saw a few town cases walking + then motored to Hospital, Bridgelands + Sund. Hall Lodge returning by Forest Road. Felt rather seedy + shivery all day. Had to go down to Lauriston to see Jenny Smith¹ after getting back from Forest Road. Worked all afternoon at the record + Summary cards², my own + David’s³. Did not come down to consultation. Took hot bath + went early to bed. Felt a great deal the better of a whisky at dinner. Helen + Nancy⁴ went out to South Common to see the hunt. The meet was at Haining but they saw very little.

¹ Jenny Locke Smith (1882-1952), daughter of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and Katie Smith née Locke

² The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership had changed its administration and Dr Muir was undertaking onerous (and prolonged) work on record cards and so-called Summary cards

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

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

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

Sudden … change to mild weather quite calm. Was kept all morning by a sad tragedy. Mrs Mitchell¹ (wife of Tom M. who is a brother of Wm Mitchell, coal agent) cut her throat. I have never seen such a case all my life. She had severed the larynx first above the Thyroid cartilage but had missed the vessels on either side. I sent for G.² + we got her along to Viewfield³ where Dav. stitched the wound + the larynx having first put a tracheot. tube through the crico-thyroid membrane⁴. Then we gave W. Lees⁵ chlor[oform] + removed the remaining plate. The bone is quite united. I motored to the town head + down to Hosp. + Bridgelands⁶. There was some rain at night.

¹ William Mitchell (about 1847-), coal agent, and his wife Annie Agnes Leslie Anderson lived at Heath Park, Selkirk; his brother Tom has not been identified

² G. might refer to Dr Graham but the Editor does not recall Dr Muir calling him this before, preferring Dav.

³ Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, acquired 1920 for the Muir and Graham medical partnership

⁴ “The cricothyroid membrane (CTM) is the recommended site of access to the airway during cricothyrotomy to provide emergency oxygenation.” [Campbell, M., Shanahan, H., Ash, S. et al. The accuracy of locating the cricothyroid membrane by palpation – an intergender study. BMC Anesthesiol 14, 108 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-14-108%5D

⁵ Wilfred Lees junior (1900-1942), plumber, born Preston, Lancashire was on a motorbike holiday when he was hit by Dugald Shankland’s car at Fairnilea on 11 August 1921; his treatment was referred to in Dr Muir’s diary entry of 23 August 1921 “Was for fully 2 hours giving Chloroform to Wilfred Lees at Viewfield while David clamped the broken tibia. It was cleverly done + I hope will be successful as it was the first time D. had done it.”

⁶ Bridgelands, just on the Galashiels side of Selkirk; Proprietor the Executors of George Rodger (about 1843-1910) and Occupier his widow Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger née Eck (about 1848-1928); their children were George Frederick Eck Rodger (1873-1956), Janet Margaret Rodger (1874-), Agnes Christine Rodger (1875-), Peter Edward Alexander Rodger (1876-1913), William Samuel Rodger (1877-), Walter Vincent Rodger (1879-) and Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1858)

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

Frost continues: wind much less + at night a dead calm: cloudy all day. Saw a town list of 12 before noon + then cycled to Hospital + Bridgelands. Got new Driving licence Motor licence + stamped Baptie’s¹ Insur[an]ce + unemployment cards + Bella’s² Insur[an]ce card. Helen³ had a party at in the evening viz. 5 Wellwooders⁴: 2 Thornfields⁵: Roy + Joyce Dees⁶: Crissie Brown⁷ (Philip^haugh Farm, Ethel Pollok⁸ + Mrs Mack⁹.

¹ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

² Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ Wellwooders John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Louisa Jane Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

⁵ The Thornfields are presumably Charles Henry ‘Charlie‘ Roberts (1877-1954), tweed manufacturer and brother of John Roberts junior, and whichever of his children – Euphemia Kathleen Roberts (1905-), George Roberts (1907-) and Louisa Florence Roberts (1909-) – were at home; his wife Euphemia Cranston ‘Fairy’ Roberts née Greenwood had died in 1916

⁶ Robert Irwin Richardson ‘Roy’ Dees (1904-about 1988) and Edith Joyce Dees, later Beath (1908-1995), two of the children of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, sometime of Faldonside, Galashiels

⁷ Christina Brown has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published early next year – John Brown, farmer, was Tenant of “part farm and house” Philiphaugh [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/325, Selkirk County, page 325 of 611]

⁸ Assume Ethel Pollok (1892-1934), daughter of John Pollok, lawyer and procurator fiscal, and Jane Pollok née MacLaurin or McLaurin; she was born Selkirk, and died 13 Dec 1934, aged 41, at Marylebone Registration District [Marylebone 1a 625], at which time she was noted as of “2 Nottingham Place, Marylebone and Craigallan, Selkirk”], probate 1 Feb 1935

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

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

Another clear cold day with threating [sic] of snow + a very slight fall of fine hail in the forenoon which drifted along the dry roads like dust. N. [wind] Opened a whitlow for Ed. Macnamara¹ + dressed Peter Metcalfe’s² finger. Motored to Essenside + found Geo.³ better: then to Faldonside, Bridgelands + Hosp. Banked some money + was having a smoke after tea when at 4 I had to go to Yair to see Turnbull⁴ the Keeper’s child with a frac. rad. + afterwards between 6 + 7 I was called to see Mrs Mungo Smith⁵, Castle Street who had been struck on the nose by Mungo.

¹ Edward ‘Ed’ Macnamara, carter and Tenant Occupier of a house at 50 Back Row, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/282, Selkirk Burgh, page 282 of 644]

² This presumably refers to the Peter Metcalfe, sometimes Metcalf (1867-1927), who is to be found in the 1911 Census, aged 44, widowed and a gardener’s labourer, living at The Haining East Lodge with his mother Margaret Metcalfe née Binnie (about 1839-1914) and sisters Margaret ‘Maggie’ (1864-1914) and Sophia, later Paton (1871-1947) but not found in 1922 Valuation Roll – so perhaps living with Mary Hope Metcalfe née Simpson, widow, Tenant Occupier of a house at 48 Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, 1922
[sources: his birth, 1867, 778/ 22, Selkirk; his marriage, Metcalfe, Peter and Gibson, Mary Ann, 1900, 733/ 13, Coldstream; wife’s death, aged 33, 1901, 778/ 23, Selkirk; Census, 1891, 778/ 10/ 22, Selkirk; Census, 1901, 778/ 5/ 12, Selkirk, Page 12 of 27; death, Peter Metcalfe, 1927, 778/ 20, Selkirk]

³ George Heard junior (1917-2006), of Essenside, son of George Heard, farmer, and Lizzie Davidson Heard née Bulman, married March 1914, Hawick [birth, 1917, 773/B 4, Ashkirk; parents’ marriage, 1914, 789/ 27, Hawick]

⁴ Assume James Hall Turnbull (1874-1961), gamekeeper, Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Yair Stables, Caddonfoot
[sources: 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/306, Selkirk County, page 306 of 611; birth, James Hall Turnbull, 1874, 801/ 14, Morebattle; 1901 Census, Morebattle, 801/ 3/ 5, page 5 of 6; death, James Hall Turnbull, died aet 86, 1961, 778/ 29, Selkirk]

⁵ Assume Catherine Stark, power loom weaver and wife of Mungo Smith, journeyman slater, of Castle Street, Selkirk; sometime of Ashybank, Selkirk, they had married 1895, Selkirk [marriage, 1895, 778/ 44, Selkirk]

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

Another dry sharp day with some frost + a keen N wind but not so strong as yesterday. The roads were quite dry + there was even dust flying. I cycled down to Hospital where the baby Emond¹ is very ill. Then out to Essenside² calling for R Currie³ at Rockville. Found they had sent for me to see little George Heard⁴ who had a T. of 104. after tea. I had to go down to Bridgelands to see Js. Hardie⁵ (who left the Hospital yesterday) with Scarletina Rheum⁶. I felt rather fagged coming up Dryden’s Entries⁷ + had to walk a good bit. Mrs Mack + Helen⁸ were at the picture house.

¹ Baby Emond was Margaret Stafford Emond (1920-1922), the daughter of James Emond, woollen millworker, and Beatrice Douglas Emond née Wight; she died 7 January 1922 at 1.30 a.m., aged 1 year 9 months, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 4 Chapel Place, Selkirk of “Diphtheria 23 days” certified by “John S Muir MB +c” [birth, 1920, 778/ 38, Selkirk; death 1922, 778/ 2, Selkirk]

² Essenside, Ashkirk

³ Robert Currie ‘junior’ (about 1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer, of Rockville, Selkirk; the fourth of five generations at Selkirk with the given name Robert

⁴ George Heard, junior (1917-2006), of Essenside, son of George Heard, farmer, and Lizzie Davidson Heard née Bulman, married March 1914, Hawick [birth, 1917, 773/B 4, Ashkirk; parents’ marriage, 1914, 789/ 27, Hawick]

⁵ James Hardie (c.1841-1922), ploughman (retired), was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels in 1920 Valuation Roll – James Hardie, ploughman (retired), died 18 October 1922, at Bridgelands Lodge by Selkirk, aged 81, death certified by “John S Muir M.B. etc”; his widow was Margaret Nicholson (died 1926)

⁶ Presumably referring to reactive arthritis occurring after a Streptococcal infection [c.f. Green, C. A. “Epidemiology of Haemolytic Streptococcal Infection in Relation to Acute Rheumatism: III. Comparative Incidence of Various Infections and Acute Rheumatism in Certain Training Centres.” The Journal of Hygiene, vol. 42, no. 4, Cambridge University Press, 1942, pp. 380–92, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3860145]

⁷ Dryden’s Entries is at approximate grid reference NGR NT475,233 and is visible on Ordnance Survey 6 inch Roxburghshire, Sheet XIII, published 1863; to Dr Muir it represents the steep climb northwards from North Synton road end to Hare Moss on his way home from Ashkirk

⁸ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk and Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

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

[entire text block scored through¹] Heavy rain during night. Fine clear day with very stiff N to NW gale. Roads dried wonderfully. I felt much better + cycled to Hospital, Bridgelands + Sund. Hall Lodge. Called for Charlotte Rodger² + met there Agnes and Isabel³. Saw a few cases in afternoon. Took Ellen Wylie⁴ a bunch of grapes that Mrs Mack⁵ gave me. Jean⁶ came at 12 + left again with Dora⁷ + Boyack⁸ at 7.33. She was very dull poor girl. I spoke to her about coming to Viewfield + so did Dav.⁹, but she can’t say anything at present till she knows if she can sell the business¹⁰. Mrs Mack brought me a bottle of brandy + some eggs for supper! Finished “Little Dorrit” ¹¹.

¹ It is not clear why this and the following entry have been scored through but the Editor has transcribed them both anyway and in any case there are no alternative entries for these dates

² Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1958), daughter of George Rodger, shipping merchant, and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger

³ Assume Agnes C Rodger (1884-), daughter of George Rodger, shipping merchant, and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger, and Isobel Rodger (1896-1984), daughter of William Rodger, woollen manufacturer, and Agnes Greg Rodger née White

⁴ Ellen Wylie is not identified, though James Wylie, labourer, was tenant at 43 Market Place, Selkirk (1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/110, Selkirk Burgh, page 110 of 644]

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

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

⁷ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁸ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora Muir’s who stayed with the family from 3rd to 31st August 1920; they have known one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

⁹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

¹⁰ Jean Muir had a tea shop at 47 Newington Road, Edinburgh [Miss Jane Muir, cook, 1920 Valuation Roll, VR010000379-/38, Edinburgh Burgh, page 38 of 257]

¹¹ Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, 1857

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