Chapter 46 Summary

After an assistant passes out at the sight of blood, Herriot affirms his conclusion that it is always the biggest men who collapse during surgery. Time and time again, whenever an animal is opened up, the big guy faints dead away.

Herriot has plenty of opportunities to test this theory on the locals. One incident in particular involved removing a nail from a cow's stomach. The farm was a local meeting site, and several people gathered around to watch the surgery. Herriot asked if anyone wanted to be his assistant, and a tall, strong young man offered. The young man strutted around, joking with the crowd. As Herriot made the first incision, the man passed out, falling over onto his back. The little farmer who was holding the cow's head came around and helped Herriot finish the job.

The last story covers a...