Page 45 - Success Plus English Language and Literature Class 10

A Triumph of Surgery

The Author

James Herriot (1916–95) was a British veterinary books. His most famous books are If Only They Could
surgeon and writer. Born in Sunderland, England, Talk and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet. Both these books
his real name was James Alfred Wright, but he wrote inspired the famous TV series All Creatures Great and
under the pen name James Herriot. Small.
James Herriot qualified as a vet from the Glasgow James Herriot died due to prostate cancer in 1995
Veterinary College and moved to Yorkshire in 1940. at the age of 78. The World of James Herriot museum
He married Joan Catherine in 1941. They had a son and and his statue were built after his death. A train was
a daughter. James Herriot started writing at the age also named after him in 2009.
of 50. He wrote many books including children’s

Summary

‘A Triumph of Surgery’ is veterinary surgeon days. Tricki begins to show signs of liveliness.
James Herriot’s account of how he treats He begins to play with household dogs and take
Mrs Pumphrey’s dog Tricki. interest in eating food.
Mrs Pumphrey is a rich woman who loves Right amount of food and physical activities
her dog Tricki dearly. She pampers and overfeeds helps Tricki recover rapidly without any
him. Plenty of food and lack of physical activity medicine. He becomes physically active, hunts
has made Tricki fat and lazy. Mrs Pumphrey rats, plays and runs around with other dogs.
mistakes his listlessness as weakness due to lack Tricki had never been so active in his life.
of nutrition. She begins to feed him even more. Mrs Pumphrey keeps calling to know about
Dr James Herriot asks her to cut down Tricki’s Tricki’s health. When she is told that Tricki
food and give him ample physical exercise. But is convalescing, she starts bringing dozens of
Mrs Pumphrey finds it impossible to be strict eggs, bottles of wine, and brandy for the speedy
with Tricki. recovery of Tricki. But the doctor knows Tricki
Finally, Tricki falls ill and becomes so does not need all these things to recover. So, he
lethargic that it is difficult for him to even and his partners consume all the things sent for
move. He loses his appetite. Doctor Herriot Tricki.
advises Mrs Pumphrey to leave Tricki at his After a fortnight Tricki sheds all his extra
surgery under his observation. Mrs Pumphrey fat and becomes lean and strong. The doctor
reluctantly agrees to part with Tricki. She informs Mrs Pumphrey about Tricki’s recovery.
tearfully sends Tricki with the doctor. Mrs Pumphrey immediately comes to take back
At the surgery, initially Tricki is ignored by Tricki. She is overwhelmed with joy to see Tricki
the household dogs as he seems uninteresting to healthy and active. She believes Tricki’s recovery
them. The doctor gives him only water for a few is the result of medical treatment.

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