Page 10 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 1

OND
ERSTEPOORT 100
veld to investigate Theiler’s theory that
Armoedsvlakte was purchased by the State in 1916. A record number of 1,24 million doses of bluetongue vaccine were issued in the 1916/17 year, but a setback to Theiler’s African horsesickness vaccine research was the occurrence of post-inoculation staggers in inoculated military horses in East Africa during the East African Campaign against Germany which was waged by South African troops. According to Gutsche Onderstepoort was already a sprawling complex of many buildings in 1916, which was soon to include a new post-mortem hall that was inaugurated in 1917.
The Montgomery era
Following the disruption of World War I
and the departure in 1917 of two stalwarts, W.H. Andrews to England and F. Veglia to Italy, Theiler had for some time considered the possibility of retirement. He had previously offered Montgomery, Veterinary Bacteriologist for British East Africa stationed in Kenya, the post of Assistant Director which he first accepted but then declined. His insistence on the directorship forced Theiler’s hand and led to
his decision to retire at the end of 1917.
A contributing factor was the preliminary discussions
with the Victoria College (soon to become the University of Stellenbosch) on the possible establishment of a veterinary faculty, something close to Theiler’s heart ever since it was first mooted by F.B. Smith, Secretary of Agriculture, in 1902. In fact he had decided to accept an appointment as Professor in Animal Health in the Faculty of Agriculture at Stellenbosch once a successor had been found. When Theiler’s resignation
lamsiekte was caused by toxic grass or other plant components of the pasture, while the botanist I.B. Pole Evans, did the required botanical research.
In 1914 Theiler had his first opportunity
to promote the concept of a local South Afri-
can Veterinary College (2 years basic studies
at an established university and completion
of the 5-year course at Onderstepoort),
which was based on the Swiss model, to
a State Commission on Higher Education
(known as the ‘Universities Commission’)
which was hearing evidence on tertiary
education. In the interview he referred
with pride to his three new South African
veterinarians, Viljoen, de Kock and H.H.
Curson, who had all qualified in England at
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. In
the same year Viljoen, who was the second South African to qualify as a veterinarian (Soga being the first), was placed in charge of Armoedsvlakte where he did sterling work. Hedinger who also worked at Armoedsvlakte, proposed a Miescher’s tube (sarcocyst) theory for lamsiekte.
Soon after his appointment, Viljoen was called up as a veterinary captain for the armed military force which was preparing to invade the then German South-West Africa (now Namibia). On being criticized in Parliament for failing to determine the cause of lamsiekte, Theiler, in 1914, threatened to resign. As proposed by Sir Thomas Smartt, Parliament voted to import a foreign specialist to help solve the problem but fortunately neither of the threats were carried out.
Onderstepoort continued to grow physically – a building to manufacture anthrax vaccine was erected in 1917 – and
“In 1914 Theiler had his first opportunity to promote the concept of a local South African Veterinary College, which was based on the Swiss model, to a State Commission on Higher Education which was hearing evidence on tertiary education.”
10
DRAMATIC EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR I
orld War I had dramatic effects on the staff position of Onderstepoort.
Eight of Theiler’s men had enlisted
and Hedinger had returned to Switzerland, whereas Robertson, who had deputized for Theiler at Onderstepoort, had already returned to Grahamstown in 1913 shortly after Theiler returned from his study leave. It was impossible to acquire the sorely needed new equipment from overseas and improvisation was the only unsatisfactory alternative.
In 1916 Theiler was offered the position of Director of Veterinary Research in India, but Botha bought him off with promises concerning retirement. At this stage his entire scientific staff consisted of 12 people of whom nine were at Onderstepoort. His protégé, P.J. du Toit, was still studying veterinary science in war-torn Germany.
PART 1
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute: General History
1908-2008
Years