TRIUMPH OF SURGERY

 Triumph Of Surgery 

Notebook work

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.

(a) What kind of treatment was given to Tricki? Did it help in his recovery? 

Ans) Tricki was given a non-medicinal treatment. His diet regimen was altered 

depending upon his body’s response to it. He was kept on liquid diet for the first 

two days and then his diet was gradually increased. Yes, this treatment did help 

Tricki as it built up energy in him. He was transformed to an energetic, hard-

muscled dog in just a fortnight. 

(b) What ‘little extras’ did Mrs Pumphrey start to give Tricki and why? 

Ans) Mrs Pumphrey thought that Tricki was suffering from malnutrition, as he was 

weak and listless. So, she started to give him extra snacks like cod-liver oil and 

malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to make him stronger. 

She also continued his cream cakes and chocolates. 

(c) Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is ‘a triumph of surgery’? 

Ans) Mrs Pumphrey thought that the dog’s recovery was ‘a triumph of surgery’ 

because in two weeks, Tricki had recovered completely and had been 

transformed into a hard muscled animal. She declared Tricki’s recovery as a 

triumph of surgery to express her happiness and gratitude towards the doctor. 

Q2. Answer the following questions in about 100-120 words.

(a) Mrs Pumphrey’s love for Tricki did more harm than good. 

Ans) Mrs Pumphrey was a rich woman who loved her dog very much. She loved to live 

a comfortable and lavish life and also wanted her dog to spend a similar one. She 

had maintained a wardrobe full of fancy fur coats, dresses, beds etc for Tricki. 

Apart from this, she used to overfeed Tricki out of her love and concern.

She did not realise that Tricki was a greedy dog and the food that she was giving 

him was making him fat and lethargic, affecting his health. 

She gave him cod-liver oil and malt between the main meals and Horlicks after 

dinner to give him strength. 

Her overfeeding worsened Tricki’s condition to such an extent that the good vet 

had to take the dog away from her to a hospital. Even in the hospital she 

continued to shower her love by sending eggs, wine and brandy for building 

Tricki’s strength. 

(b) Write the character sketch of Dr. James Herriot.

Ans) Dr Herriot was a capable veterinary surgeon who treated Tricki. He was a very 

compassionate doctor and a wise and sympathetic human being. He showed his 

capabilities almost immediately when he advised Mrs Pumphrey to put Tricki on 

a strict diet after understanding his symptoms. He can also be said to be an 

understanding and tactful person as he knew exactly how to free Tricki from Mrs 

Pumphrey’s ‘love’ for his betterment. He does not operate upon the poor dog

unnecessarily and adopts a practical approach to treat him. The doctor was a 

caring and polite individual as he successfully and patiently allays Mrs 

Pumphrey’s anxiety about Tricki’s recovery. He was in all a good human being 

and a successful profession