Page 78 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 3

OND
ERSTEPOORT 100
Toxicology
T.S. KELLERMAN AND T.W. NAUDÉ
Introduction
n the founding years, the ubiquitous Theiler, with his wide range of interests either directed or had a hand in most of the research work done at Onderstepoort. Amongst others, he was deeply interested in botany. This probably
explains his appreciation of the potential role poisonous plants would play in the aetiologies of the many as yet unexplained conditions of stock, such as gousiekte and geeldikkop. He also believed − until he himself proved otherwise − that lamsiekte was a plant poisoning. To further this research he collaborated with many noted botanists including J. Burtt-Davy, I.B. Pole Evans and A.O.D. Mogg. So Theiler, it can be said, laid the foundation for the future Section of Toxicology. As far as we can tell, it came into being in c.1928 upon the appointment of the energetic D.G. (Douw) Steyn as a pharmacologist cum toxicologist at Onderstepoort. Steyn was followed at the OVI by T.F. (Tom) Adelaar (1948-1974), T.W. (Theuns) Naudé (1974- 1976), T.S. (Fanie) Kellerman (1976-1998), J.P.J. (Johan) Joubert (1998-2004) and Dharma Naicker (2004-date), the only non- veterinarian to fill this position. Looking at the list one is struck by the fact that over 90 years, from 1908 to 1998, only five people have headed the section. What is more, save for Theiler, all these incumbents actually knew and communicated with each other. This stability has been very beneficial as it led to continuity of purpose and new appointees never lacked for
168 mentors to guide them in their research.
Steyn, the first official incumbent and protégé of Theiler’s
– a true gentleman, who remained lucid deep into his 90s – tirelessly tested plants for toxicity. He also published prolifically on a wide range of subjects in
both scientific and popular journals. But
D.G. Steyn, founder and Head of the Toxicology Section at Onderstepoort (1928-1947) and author of the first handbook on the toxicology of plants in South Africa
diligently passing toxicological information on to the profes- sion and stockmen alike.
he will be remembered primarily for his
book The Toxicology of Plants in Southern
Africa which appeared in 1934. True, in
1932 M.W. Henning had published Animal
Diseases in South Africa, in which he
had given an excellent overview of plant
poisonings in South Africa. Nevertheless, to
Steyn must go the honour of having written
the first reference work on plant poison-
ing in South Africa, thus securing his place
in the history of toxicology at Onderste-
poort. This handbook was followed some
14 years later by a second, more popular
volume, Vergiftiging van Mens en Dier
aimed mainly at the farming community. In retrospect, apart from his considerable research achievements, he must be truly commended for his excellent communication skills in
Adelaar was very much the opposite. He was a big man with a robust personality, a quirky humour and a considerable presence. A brilliant diagnostician, he loved to investigate poisonings all over South Africa, some complain to the detriment of committing his vast experience to paper for posterity. To be fair though, in those days there was no such thing as ‘publish or perish’ and, with the limited facilities at his disposal, he was probably correct in identifying livestock health as his main priority. Naudé is known for his infectious enthusiasm and envied for his encyclopaedic knowledge of toxicology. He has also been aptly described as a ‘kind van die veld’ (child of the veld) for his intimate understanding of the ecology, of trees and birds of South Africa. He has published widely on subjects ranging from cardiac glycosides to a summer syndrome caused by ergot-infested ensiled sedges, and is a co-author of the first and second editions of the book, Plant Poisonings
“To Steyn must go the honour of having written the first reference work on plant poisoning in South Africa, The Toxicology of Plants in Southern Africa which appeared in 1934, thus securing his place in the history of toxicology at Onderstepoort.”
PART 3
History of Individual Disciplines
1908-2008
Years