UNIT – 1 A TRIUMPH OF SURGERY

James Herriot

FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

 The story highlights the
emotional bond between human
beings and animals. The
narrator’s wife shares affection
with a wild bear and they get
attached to each other.

Remember this lesson?

What is the theme ?
About the author:

James Alfred Wight (Herriot) was an English veterinary surgeon and writer. He was
born on 3 October 1916 in Sunderland, England.His pen name was James Herriot.
Being a noted veterinary surgeon, he utilised his vast experience in writing stories
about animals. He wrote a series of books of stories about animals and their
masters. James Alfred Wight (James Herriot) died on 23 February 1995, at the age
of 78.
 Theme

The story is based on the theme that over indulgence can be life threatening, especially when
the caretaker is ignorant. Tricki’s life comes under threat because his owner Mrs.Pumphrey
expresses her love for him by over feeding him.
Another theme of the story is the tactfulness of a young and efficient veterinary surgeon. He
cures Tricki without any medication by simply controlling his diet and giving him proper
exercise.
 Message

Through the story “A Triumph of Surgery”, the author who is a veterinary surgeon wants to
convey the message that our love for our pets should not be expressed by pampering them
too much. Such over indulgence can be life threatening for the poor animal who trusts his
master completely. In fact, pets need a balance between indulgence and strictness. A
restricted wholesome diet, supplemented with plenty of exercise is all that is needed to keep
one’s pet healthy.
 Content

The Doctor Worried: The doctor, James Herriot, is really worried. Tricki had become very fat. He
looks like a bloated sausage. His eyes were red and rheumy. Mrs. Pumphrey is the mistress of the
dog. She has given him malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of horlicks every night. But nothing
works.
James Herriot advises Mrs.Pumphrey: James Herriot realises that Tricki's only fault was greed
for food. Dr. James Herriot advises Mrs.Pumphrey that she must cut Tricki's food. She must give
the dog some exercise. She must keep him on a very strict diet. Otherwise, he would fall ill.
Tricki Falls Ill: Within a few days, Dr. Herriot receives a call from Mrs.Pumphrey. She tells him
that Tricki doesn't eat and has bouts of vomiting. He only lies down on the rug panting. The doctor
advises her that Tricki needs to be hospitalized for a fortnight. He is to be kept under observation.
 Content

Tricki at Hospital: At the Surgery, the household dogs surge around Tricky. He sees them lying motionless. A
bed for Tricki is made in a warm loose box. For two days, no food is given to him but plenty of water. On the
second day, he starts taking some interest in his surroundings. On the third day, he begins to whimper when he
hears the dog in the yard. Tricki starts taking a walk around the bowls licking casually inside one or two of
them.
Rapid Progress:Tricki's progress is rapid. He has no medical treatment of any kind. He runs about with the
dogs joining their friendly barkings. He starts fighting for his share of food and hunts rats at night.Dr. Herriot
tells Mrs.Pumphrey that Tricki is not in danger and recovering rapidly. Mrs.Pumphrey starts bringing eggs,
two dozen at a time to build up his strength, wine and brandy are given to improve Tricki's constitution. The
doctor informs that Tricki has recovered and Mrs.Pumphrey can collect him.
Grateful Mrs.Pumphrey: Within two weeks, Tricki has been transformed into a flexible, hard muscled
animal. He is stretching out in great bounds. When Tricki sees his mistress, he leaps and sails into her lap. As
the car moves away, Mrs.Pumphrey leans out of the window. Her lips tremble and tears shine in her eyes, she
says, "Oh, Mr. Herriot, how can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!"
 Character sketch

Mrs.Pumphrey: Mrs. Pumphrey is arich and resourceful lady with a large number of servants and maids. She is
passionately attached to her little pet dog, Tricki. She is much worried about Tricki's miserable condition.Tricki had
become hugely fat and listless. She thinks Tricki to be suffering from malnutrition. So, she starts giving Tricki malt, cod-
liver oil and a bowl of horlicks every night. The doctor knew that Tricki's only fault was his greed for food. He advises
Mrs.Pumphrey to cut down food and sweets for Tricki. It was very difficult because she pampered Tricki like a
spoiledchild.Mrs.Pumphrey is impractical but very compassionate and caring. She and her staff arrange all comforts, beds,
cushions and toys forTricki. She constantly enquires about his health from Dr. Herriot. She gratefullythanks Dr. Herriot for
saving Trick's life and calls it "A triumph of Surgery."
Tricky: Tricky is a small dog. The only fault of Tricki is his greed for food. Overfeeding of sweets, cakes and chocolates make
Tricki hugely fat. He becomes rheumy and listless. His tongue lolls from his jaws. The doctor advises Mrs.Pumphrey to keep Tricki
on a very strict diet and give him plenty of exercises. Tricki becomes a victim of overindulgence and overfeeding. Dr. Herriot's
instructions are ignored. Tricki loses appetite and starts vomiting. Dr. Herriot suggests Mrs.Pumphrey that Tricki be hospitalised
under his observation for a fortnight. Tricki's recovery is amazingly rapid. He is not given food but plenty of water. After a few
days, Tricki starts taking an interest in his surroundings. He is transformed into a flexible and hard-muscled dog. Tricki shows his
love for his mistress by jumping onto her lap when she comes to collect him.
Dr. James Herriot: Dr. James Herriot, is a competent veterinary surgeon. He is really worried about Tricki. He understands that the
real fault of the dog is his greed for food. Dr. Herriotinstructs Mrs.Pumphrey to keep Tricki on a very strict diet.Dr. James Herriot is
practical and pragmatic. He doesn't give any medical treatment to the dog. He feeds the dog with only water. His method works.
The grateful mistress thanks Dr. Herriot and calls his feat "A triumph of Surgery". Dr. James is clever enough to enjoy the best of
both the worlds. He is tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest. It was a happy period for Dr. Herriot and his friends. He used to
enjoy eggs for breakfast and wine and brandy for lunch.
 ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

They were days of deep content, starting well with the extra egg in the morning, improved and
sustained by the midday wine and finishing luxuriously round the fire with brandy. It was a temptation to
keep Tricki on as a permanent guest, but I knew Mrs Pumphrey was suffering and after fortnight, felt
compelled to phone and tell her that the little dog had recovered and was awaiting collection.

(a) Mr Herriot would start well with the ______________ in the morning.
(i) milk (ii) brandy
(ii) extra egg (iv) sandwich

(b) It was a temptation to:

(i) to start the day with brandy (ii) to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest
(iii ) to let Tricky go home (iv) none of these

(c) Mr Herriot felt compelled to:

(i) play with Tricki
(ii ) take Tricki along with him
(iii) tell Mrs Pumphrey that the little dog has recovered
(iv) let Mrs Pumphrey suffer
 (d) Which of the following is not true?
(i) These days were the days of deep content.
(ii) Mr Herriot did not know that Mrs Pumphrey was suffering.
(iii) He would finish luxuriously round the fire with brandy.
(iv) It was a temptation to keep Tricki.

(e) Which word means the same as ‘the desire to do something’?

(i) Temptation (ii) Suffering
(ii) Permanent (iii) Sustained

2. Answer the following questions in 40 to 50 words:

(a) What was the cause of Tricki’s ailment?

(b) How does Dr Herriot treat Tricki?
(c) Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?

3. Answer the following question in 100 to 120 words:

(a) ‘ There is no greater evil than the pampering of someone’. Analyse this quote with reference to ‘The
Triumph of Surgery’.