All Creatures Great and Small: James Herriot Remembered
Colin Melbourne English Vet and Missionary in Asia
© 03-08 Born-Again-Christian.info
An English veterinarian and missionary describes the influence of the James Herriot books and the BBC TV series, All Creatures Great and Small
Alf Wight has without question become the most influential veterinary surgeon in history, eclipsing the work of vets in medical research and public office, by writing the heart-warming stories of a Yorkshire farm-vet.
The down to earth episodes based upon his life in general practice have charmed animal-lovers around the world, taking readers with him on his farm visits in the Yorkshire Dales.
Alf began practising in the 1930's when veterinary medicine was almost a mystical art, in that it relied considerably on faith in the potions and somewhat dubious skills of the 'Fettlers'. I qualified as a vet in England in 1979 when his books were first topping the bestseller lists, and the BBC TV series, All Creatures Great and Small was launched, and soon became compulsory viewing.
Yet, even as late as the 1980's I discovered an elderly vet who used to impress farmers with his unique diagnostic abilities.
He didn't use blood tests; radiology, bacteriology, or any technical equipment at all. To discover what was ailing a cow, he'd plunge his finger into the cow's backside like a thermometer, whilst casually asking the farmer about his silage crop or the weather. When the time was right, he withdrew his digit, and promptly thrust it into his mouth as if savouring whipped-cream. (Or so it appeared, his trick was to switch fingers, so that he actually sucked a clean one.) Smacking his lips thoughtfully, he would then pronounce the diagnosis to the awe-struck onlookers;
"She's liverish Bill, give her more corn-cake, and I'll make you up a black dose for her."
You can see why he was one of a kind can't you?
When Alf Wight first ventured into cowsheds and stables in the 1930's he didn't have the benefit of Penicillin or other antibiotics, and the powerful therapeutic drugs of today.
Animals are not machines, where, when something breaks, you can replace it, and it will function again. But today vets can usually diagnose the cause of a creature's debility, and if they follow tried and tested logical procedures, can generally expect it to recover. Modern vets have the tools, in Herriot's day, they didn't, and so were much more reliant upon guesswork, husbandry, nurturing, and even plain quackery!
Colin Dehorning Cattle in Northumberland, UK
One aspect of the delightful stories that hasn't changed is the stunning Yorkshire countryside, and its weather. As a Lancastrian vet, I can assure you that it's beautiful, but freezing on the Yorkshire Dales in winter.
The Pennine Hills shield the West of England from the North Easterly winds blasting from across frozen Siberia and Scandinavia. So it was a revelatory experience for me to discover just how cold it gets on Ilkley Moor in January. Alf earns my deepest respect for removing his shirt to cleanse a cow, and then swill off in ice-cold stream water during a Yorkshire winter. Why today, we wear quilted sleeveless gowns, and plastic-gloves on our arms, and have heated seats in our cars. Such sissies aren't we?
What you and I love about the Herriot books is their rich tapestry of characters. From the idiosyncratic Siegried Farnon, James' boss, to the hilarious antics of Tristan Farnon the feckless vet student and later assistant. Christopher Timothy portrays James in the BBC TV series based on the novels, and plays the main character to perfection, with understated charm.
Incidentally, this is an example of genuine acting ability rather than a performer being typecast. I say this because during the first TV run in the 70's, Timothy was also employed to advertise Britain's sleaziest tabloid newspaper, 'The Sun', which he did with enormously greasy gusto on the advertising channel, ITV. You could then switch over to the ad-free BBC and see the same person bringing the innocent Herriot to life on the Beeb. It was quite a contrast, and thankfully he realised that there was a conflict of interests and ditched the Sun job. Or perhaps Rupert Murdoch sacked him because his clean-cut Herriot persona would jeopardize the image of the Sun newspaper.
These central characters are set against the hilariously quirky Yorkshire farmers, with their broad accents and strange traits. But Alf Wight shows his wisdom by always allowing the animals to be the undoubted stars of his tales. From Trickie-Woo the flatulent lap dog of Mrs. Pomfrey, to Gyp the dog who only barked once in his whole life, and Moses the kitten rescued from the rushes, and adopted by a maternal sow.
I can vouch for the fact that his stories of animal antics are plausible, and almost certainly true. During the two decades since I qualified, I've seen most of the stories re-enacted in my own experience. Sometimes having weird deja-vu instances, like the time I removed some teeth from a Long-Haired Dachshund.
During his recovery from the anaesthetic, I couldn't resist taking him from his cage for a cuddle, he was so cute. Whilst carrying him, I answered an emergency phone-call from a farmer, and put the dog at my feet so I could jot down the farm's address, then hurried through the surgery door. Unknown to me, I was being followed by a Dachsie still distinctly under the influence.
The missing patient wasn't noticed until I returned from the emergency, and what relief there was when we sheepishly went to tell the owner, only to see the little chap nodding-off on his own doorstep, waiting to be let in. He'd walked home himself. What a star!
Alf Wight set his character's practice in the market town of Darrowby, which in reality is Thirsk, a bustling agricultural centre in Yorkshire. In fact, you can visit Alf's practice near the main square of Thirsk, where his son Jim is still a busy farm vet, even patiently finding time to answer visitor's questions about his illustrious father. Jim has inherited his Dad's writing skill, and has authored a smashing book about Alf, called The Real James Herriot.
As his fame grew, Alf used to visit the various UK veterinary schools to give talks to vet students like me, he was much in demand, and became quite rich from his books, and films rights. But one of the most endearing features of his character is how he dealt with fame and wealth. Be assured large animal vetting is still a physically tough job, and the frequent night calls to farms and stables can be very trying. So it would be understandable if Alf had sat back to take it easy once he'd 'made it'. But he didn't. He stayed working in Thirsk until it was time to pass on the reins to his son Jim.
Alf also paid a huge price in income tax to remain a farm vet, as much as 80% of his royalties was snatched by the taxman. He could have moved to Jersey, or Europe, as a tax exile, but he didn't, he loved being a Yorkshire vet.
When you read and re-read his delightful books, or watch the DVDs and videos of the TV series, you too will catch a glimpse of his motivation and first love.
English people are potty about animals and pets, so UK vets make a nice living, but it's not a profession to choose if you want to get rich. Instead become a dentist or doctor, not a vet. Only become a vet if you truly love animals, then you will be a good one. But due to the writing talent of Alf Wight, vets have certainly risen in the esteem of the British public, and there's more competition for places in veterinary school than for doctors and dentists, consequently the academic requirements to be a vet in the UK are far higher than those to be a doctor... thanks to Alf!
I love being a vet; it's both heartbreaking and fulfilling. If I was to dare to criticise the Herriot stories, it'd be on the grounds that he doesn't write enough about the failures and disasters, which all vet's in general practice experience. After all, they are what build character and hope aren't they?
But the biggest thrill in my life has not been treating all creatures great and small like Mr. Herriot (UK vets don't like to be called 'Doctor', it's something we have to tolerate when working outside the UK.) The greatest joy I've had is Meeting The One who made them all. His name is The LORD Jesus Christ. You can read what happened, and how He sent me to become a Missionary in Asia here.
PS. If you've not yet read the James Herriot books, or seen the DVD or Video series you are in for a wonderful treat.