Episode 438 (6th April 1978)

Plot
The condition of the sick cow begins to deteriorate. Matt enters with the news that it has had a spontaneous abortion and that is one of the symptoms of brucellosis. Eventually the vet arrives and Matt, Joe and Swannick, the vet, go into the cow shed and start to examine the cow. Swannick asks them about the symptoms, prods here and there at the bovine anatomy and finally pronounces that it is only a simple case of aspergillus fumigatus, farmers lung or mycotic abortion and not, as was thought, the dreaded brucellosis. The plague now averted, all can return to merriment. Meanwhile, Sam and Mrs Ratcliffe are hanging about waiting for Hinton at the lych-gate. They are both cold and Mrs Ratcliffe suggests that instead of walking back to the farm, Sam comes to tea with her. They walk of arm in arm. Later, in the pub, after Mrs Ratcliffe has gone, Sam is teased about his interest in her. But Joe goes too far and is told to keep a hold on himself when Sam announces that he's invited Mrs Ratcliffe for tea on Sunday.