Was it the end of term perhaps? The heat? Or the soul-shredding thought of another 83 days debating debates till the referendum?

Whatever was causing the opposition to flag and stumble at FMQs today, it seemed to have quite the reverse effect on Alex Salmond, who romped rampant through the proceedings, squishing and splatting his rivals like summer bugs.

A windscreen would have shown more mercy.

Labour's Johann Lamont, whose political Sat Nav finds a new wrong turn each week, tootled up bearing quotes from BMA boss Dr Brian Keighley.

The NHS had been in "crisis management" for the last five years, he reckoned.

Mr Lamont seconded the grave diagnosis, and asked if the FM could tell people "why the leader of Scotland's doctors is wrong?"

But with rotten stats making him an NHS expert these days, Mr Salmond was fully prepped.

He immediately reminded her public satisfaction with the NHS was 61% compared to 45% when she had been a minister.

On top of that, Dr Keighley had said the SNP was doing its utmost "within the Barnett Formula and the resources available".

Ms Lamont ground her gears and tried another cul-de-sac: what was his plan for the NHS?

Mr Salmond hit the throttle.

"Our plan is to continue to fund the NHS in Scotland to the maximum degree, something that the Labour Party, neither in Scotland nor in Wales would commit to.

"Our plan is to have access to the resources of Scotland so we move beyond austerity" and "break free" of the Barnett-forged manacles.

Ms Lamont went into a skid.

"The problem for the First Minister is that he wants to make this a cheap political debate," she screeched, to deafening SNP laughter.

"Settle down!" honked the Presiding Officer.

The last dignified exit already far behind her, Ms Lamont drove madly on into the oncoming traffic and accused the SNP of being "not interested in the NHS".

The FM waved her farewell with more waiting time figures and said the NHS "would be able to do a great deal more in an independent Scotland".

Tory leader Ruth Davidson, in a bright orange and blue outfit that produced solar flares on the in-house tellies, then rattled through a list of high-powered boffins and thinktanks who had cast doubt on Mr Salmond's independence plans since the New Year: "So, First Minister, how does it feel to be so misunderstood?"

Mr Salmond clamped on to her inclusion of the Office of Budget Responsibility.

Frowning theatrically, he said: "I have a question mark about the OBR. You see, right from the start I believe that the Tories have used the OBR not just as part of government but as part of the Conservative Party".

Pause. Serious nod. Drum roll please....

"I'm quoting directly from Alistair Darling!" he revealed, "the leader of the Better Together Campaign until Murdo Fraser takes over."

As his head wobbled like Churchill the dog, most of the chamber was left choking on a smog of smug, though Nat backbenchers were ecstatic.

Mr Fraser, who lost the Tory leadership race to Ms Davidson despite being the more original thinker, has just come out for a federal UK.

Mr Salmond urged Ms Davidson to heed "the analysis of Federal Fraser - that because you lack confidence in the people and the economy of Scotland, the people of Scotland lack confidence in the Conservative party."

Fearless Fraser would be a better nickname, for just as we were about to leave, he stood up to ask the final question of the session.

Mr Salmond could not resist such easy prey.

"When Murdo Fraser was in favour of more devolution, Ruth Davidson had a line in the sand," he said.

"When Ruth Davidson is in favour of more devolution, Murdo has moved to federalism.

"And when Ruth moves to federalism, no doubt Murdo Fraser will move towards supporting independence" - Mr Fraser shook his head unconvincingly - "but I'm confident the independence campaign will survive that endorsement and go to victory on September 18."

Mr Salmond has had a bumpy few weeks at FMQs.

But as he departed for the summer, he left behind rivals looking flatter than roadkill.