A dull blowy day with rain at times + a glint of sunshine. My cold wearing off. Rose to breakfast but did not go out any further than Viewfield¹ (to see Miss More²) + Church. Made out Factory + Parish returns³ + cleared up the record card confusion⁴. Mrs Mack⁵ came to supper. All the Wellwooders⁶ came to wish me a “Happy New Year”. Dav.⁷ had Fraser⁸ out seeing Miss More.

¹ Viewfield Nursing Home, in other words Dr Muir went no further than the other side of Scott’s Place

² Miss More has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published early this year

³ The Selkirk County Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1921 was by 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;, so the Editor assumes that Dr Muir was preparing his contributions to that report

⁴ 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

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

⁶ The Wellwooders were 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)

⁷ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁸ Assume the Dr Fraser referred to in Dr Muir’s diary of Wednesday 29 January 1919 “Smith, the Firs, was found to have appendicitis. He was taken to Mauldsheugh where he was operated on by Mr Fraser at 5. I gave Chlor[oform]. Fraser is a beautiful operator + the result was successful in the removal of an inflamed appendix.” [see SBA/657/22/15 and also SBA/657/22/16 and SBA/657/22/32]

This may well refer to Sir John Fraser (1885-1947), 1st Baronet, KCVO MC FRSE FRSEd., who, after war service as an army surgeon when he was successful in stitching up a gunshot wound to a heart, was at this time surgeon to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the Royal Infirmary and, was from 1925, Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery at Edinburgh University

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

Kept my room again unwashed up much of the day working away at the Summary cards¹ + got them finished at night. I am resolved to keep the records more systematically + have utilised my old “Index Rerum Medicarum” ² for the purpose. Dora³ + Boyack⁴ came at 7.30 + we saw the New Year in with a pint of champagne which I got some time ago from Mrs Mack⁵. It was a lovely bright morning + forenoon but got wet + windy at night.

¹ 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

² Index rerum means index of things (genitive pl. of Latin ‘Res’ meaning thing or object) so this will be Dr Muir’s old medical index

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

⁴ 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

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose generosity was such that her home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A very severe Coryza¹ developed during the night + I had a miserable time. Kept my room + mostly in bed but managed to get on with the Summary cards². David³ came in twice. There was not a good deal doing. I did.

¹ Coryza is the Common cold

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A very slushy day: snow practically gone except on heights. Motored to Sinton Mill (Mrs Lindores¹) for David². Sent away a whole lot of New Year greetings in response to Xmas cards +c I had got. This took me all afternoon + I got nothing done at the Summary cards³. Helen⁴ + I motored over to the Patons⁵ to supper + came back by the last train. I called at the Hospital⁶ going + walked along from the station when I got back. The child Young⁷ looks like dying. Felt a pain in my uvula⁸.

¹ Alexander Lindores, ploughman, was “Inhabitant Occupier not rated” of a house at Synton Mill, Ashkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/301, Selkirk County, page 301 of 611]

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

³ 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

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁵ The Patons were Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means, formerly in Selkirk they had flitted to Galashiels after the First World War

⁶ Dr Muir is not clear what he means by Hospital (to be fair why should he since he knew exactly which property he was alluding to?) but in this case it is likely to refer to Mauldsheugh

⁷ Adam Young, born 1920, died 30 December 1921 aet 1 year 10 months, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 91 Forest Road, Selkirk, of “Scarlatina 6 days Diphtheria 8 days” certified by John S Muir M.B.; he was the son of Robert Henderson Young, plumber, and Mary Young née Stevenson [birth, 1920, 778/ 21, Selkirk; death, 1921, 778/ 87)]

⁸ Dr Muir was probably highly attuned to any symptoms that might indicate Diphtheria or Scarlet Fever

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Tremendous N.W. gale + snow blizzards, one particularly bad one at 3.20 in a few minutes left everything white. The snow did not lie however except on the hills. I saw only 3 town cases + Hospital + motored to Faldonside to see Roy¹ who has synovitis of his knee. Spent the afternoon at the summary cards – an awful piece of needless red tape drudgery – + dined at Elmpark² with all the Wellwooders³. Ran down to Hospital in motor after dinner to see a child Young (Rob Young⁴ the gasman’s child) who has S. + D. [Scarlet and Diphtheria⁵] Spent a merry evening at Elmpark.

¹ Robert Irwin Richardson ‘Roy’ Dees (1904-about 1988), son of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson who lived at Faldonside

² Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

³ The Wellwooders were 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) who lived at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk

⁴ Robert Young, plumber, Tenant at 91 Forest Road, Selkirk, and his son Adam Young, born 1920; see also diary entry for 28 December 1921 [source: 1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/163, Selkirk Burgh, page 163 of 644]

⁵ The prolonged outbreak of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria in Selkirk was obviously continuing

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Colder today: cleat at first dull later: some drizzle + rain. Saw a few cases walking + then motored to Forest Road, Gilkeekit¹ + Ettrickbridgend (Sarah Mitchell²). Went down to Hospital at 2.30 with Helen³ + had tea. Willie Colledge⁴ was there with a Gramophone in the Diph. verandah which the children enjoyed. Helen went to a play by Durward Lely’s Company⁵ in Victoria Hall with Mrs Mack⁶.

¹ There were several properties at Gilkeekit, Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT441,270

² Miss Sarah Mitchell was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house and garden at Ettrickbridgend [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/320, Selkirk County, page 320 of 611]

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

⁴ Assume Willie Colledge, shoemaker and Tenant Occupier at 27 Curror Street [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/178, Selkirk Burgh, page 178 of 644]

⁵ James Durward Lyall ‘Durward Lely’ (1852-1944), Scottish opera singer and actor, who had a successful career including with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, being particularly well known for his performances in Gilbert and Sullivan, but running his own company in the first half of the 1920s

⁶ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A good [illegible] Sou’ Wester + very mild. It had quite died out at night. I motored to Wellwood¹ to see Tim²: then to Hospital, Bridge Street, Heathpark³, Essenside (where Mr Heard ⁴ had a sore throat), Synton Mill⁵ + after lunch to Whitmuirhall (Mrs Cochrane⁶ all right). Helen + I dined at Wellwood, the only other guests being Mr McEdward⁷, Lawson’s ⁸ assistant [and] Mrs Mackintosh⁹. We had a very merry evening.

¹ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk was the home of 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)

² George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s youngest grandchild

³ It is not clear which of a number of properties Dr Muir attended at Heathpark (Heath Park in the Valuation Rolls)

⁴ George Heard, farmer, was Tenant at Wester Essenside, Ashkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/303, Selkirk County, page 303 of 611]

⁵ Synton Mill, Ashkirk

⁶ Janet Austin Cochrane née Mair (1883-1960), wife of William ‘Willie’ Cochrane of Whitmuirhall, for more information see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 23 December 1921

⁷ Mr McEdward appears to be the Reverend Lachlan MacEdward (1891-), born Inch, Kingussie and Inch Parish, Badenoch, Inverness-shire, son of Jessie McEdward, educated Kingussie Higher Grade Public School and later served with 14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders [see attestation papers]; he was recorded in 1921 as “The Reverend Lachlan McEdwards, Selkirk Parish Church” [Southern Reporter] and in 1940, aet 49, a Church of Scotland minister, travelling from Bombay, India to Kingussie aboard SS Strathnaver, Peninsula and Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd

⁸ Assume the Reverend George Lawson (1859-1937), M.A., Church of Scotland minister at Selkirk about 1902-about 1930

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Fair today + a touch of frost. Clear sky: sunshine. Motored to Whitmuirhall + opened the abscess in Mrs Cochrane’s¹ tonsil. Snow visible on White Coomb + Blackhouse Heights but gone from Newark + Foulshiels². Went to morning service + walked down to the Hospital after. Saw the kids enjoying the Santa Claus gifts. In the afternoon I worked away at the Record Cards + didn’t go to evening Service at which part of the Messiah were sung. Mrs Mack³ came for supper + I saw her home!

¹ Janet Austin Cochrane née Mair (1883-1960), wife of William ‘Willie’ Cochrane of Whitmuirhall, for more information see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 23 December 1921

² White Coomb, grid reference NGR NT163,151, Blackhouse Heights, NT2222,2900, Newark Hill, NT405,286 and Foulshiels, NT427,303

³ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk; the exlamation mark presumably hints at previous occasions where the friends had become close, see Dr Muir’s diary entries for 4 and 10 June 1921

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Hard frost + roads quite dry + bright morning: getting duller after 12 + then sleet + drizzle. Motored early to Riddell¹ + arranged out bring the housemaid to Viewfield², came back via Whitmuirhall + Castle Street. Then went down to Hospital, taking some parcels. Got nine contributions in money, fruit, cake + toys. Sim³ gave me £1 + Mrs S 10/-. I have got in money £2.15.0. Dined at Mauldsheugh⁴. Mrs Anderson⁵ there + Mr West⁶.

¹ Riddell, Lilliesleaf, where Dr Muir had seen a housemaid with Haematemesis the day before, see diary entry for 23 December 1921

² Viewfield, now part of the N.H.S. provision in Selkirk, had been acquired and renamed Viewfield Nursing Home by the Muir and Graham medical co-partnership in early 1920

³ Perhaps Robert Sim of Scott’s Place, Selkirk and his wife (unless this is how Dr Muir familiarly describes Robert Sim Muir (1882-1940), manufacturer, Proprietor Occupier at Mayland, Heatherlie, Selkirk and the brother-in-law of David Alexander)

⁴ Mauldsheugh, home of Dr David Charteris Graham and his wife but also functioned as a hospital for the Muir & Graham medical co-partnership

⁵ Mrs Anderson may be Joan Scott Anderson née Shaw (about 1857-1936), widow of T Scott Anderson of Ettrick Shaws, daughter of Thomas Shaw of Wooriwyrite, Australia and Catherine Shaw née McLaughlin; her daughter Katherine Margaret Scott Anderson had married W H ‘Will’ Ogilvie

⁶ Mr West is not identified

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Keen north wind: no rain: frost at night. David¹ came in while I was dressing he had had a confinement at Viewfield² where there are 4 parturients!³ I motored up Backrow to Castle Street+ out to Whitmuirhall to see Mrs Cochrane⁴ whose tonsils are inflamed again: then to Riddell⁵ to see a housemaid with [word deleted] haematemesis⁶ to whom I gave an enema, then on to Kirklea + Essenside⁷. Mrs Heard⁸ most generously gave me 2 chickens + 7/- for the Hospital fund. Then to Wellwood to see Tim⁹. Mrs Mack¹⁰ gave me a bottle of the old Madeira¹¹. Helen¹² made puncheon with the Madeira.

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

² Viewfield, now part of the N.H.S. provision in Selkirk, had been acquired and renamed Viewfield Nursing Home by the Muir and Graham medical co-partnership in early 1920

³ Parturient: bringing forth or about to bring forth young

⁴ Janet Austin Cochrane née Mair (1883-1960), had married, July 1915 at Galashiels Parish Manse, William ‘Willie’ Cochrane, of Whitmuirhall, he was in 1921 Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Whitmuirhall, Selkirk where he was recorded in the 1911 Census with his sister Wilhelmina Cochrane (about 1870-1962) [sources: Janet’s birth, 1883,775/ 255, Galashiels; marriage, 1915, 775/ 38, Galashiels; and death, 1960, 778/ 51, Selkirk; 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

⁵ Riddell, Lilliesleaf

⁶ Haematemesis: the vomiting of blood

⁷ Kirklea and Essenside, both Ashkirk, the former the home of W H Ogilvie and his family

⁸ Mrs May Heard née Avery, of West Essenside, Ashkirk, whose family Dr Muir had treated for Diphtheria

⁹ George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson, later a mill owner, lived with his family at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk

¹⁰ Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

¹¹ Mrs Mackintosh seems to have had a quantity of 1875 Madeira, see diary entries for 24 February and 7 March 1921; it would by no means have been regarded as too old as it is a famously long-lasting wine

¹² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]