Australian Veterinary History Record

AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY HISTORY RECORD

March 2016 – NUMBER 73

The Australian Veterinary History Record is published by the Australian Veterinary History Group in the months of March, July and November.

Please take the opportunity to visit the AVHS web page www.vetsci.usyd.au/avhs also the Australian Veterinary History Record when you log onto http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/222

Hon Editor: Dr AJ Turner, 25 Garton Street, Princes Hill Vic, 3054 Email: [email protected]; Tel. (03) 9380 1652.

OFFICE BEARERS OF THE HISTORY GROUP

President: Professor Mary Barton

Secretary/Treasurer: Dr J Brady 58 Derrimut Road Hoppers Crossing, Vic. 3029 Phone 03 9749 3011

MHML Librarian: Dr AT Hart

Committee Members: Dr Paul Canfield Dr Helen Fairnie Dr Keith Hughes Dr Patricia Mcwhirter Dr Bruce Parry Dr Dick Roe Dr Tony Davidson

The Australian Veterinary History Group is a Special Interest Group of the AVA [AVHG]. All who are interested in any aspect of veterinary history may join. Annual subscription is $60.

Please direct enquiries and correspondence to the President, Professor Mary Barton, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Tel. + 61 8 8302 2933. Email: [email protected] .

All comments and opinions expressed in the Australian Veterinary History Record are those comments and opinions of the individual writers and not of the Editor, nor do they represent any official policy of the Australian Veterinary History Group or its Committee..

CONTENTS

Page

NOTICE OF MEETING: Australian Veterinary History 1 SIG AGM, 26 May 2016 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM: AVA Annual Conference, 2 Adelaide 26 May 2014 HISTORICAL ARTICLES The history of quarantine on Torrens Island, South Australia, 1850s to the present Christopher Bunn 4

Robert Nairn Johnstone 1884–1935 Margaret Lacy 15

Australian Veterinary History Society A Special Interest Group of the Australian Veterinary Association Ltd

Notice is hereby given that the 25th Annual Meeting will be held in Adelaide on 23 May 2016 at 5.00 pm at the AVA AGM and Conference, Adelaide Convention Centre.

AGENDA 1. Present:

2. Apologies:

3. Minutes of 23rd AGM of AVHS These minutes were published in the Australian Veterinary History Record No 71, July 2015.

4. Business Arising from the Minutes

5. Report of the President: Prof Mary Barton

6. Report on Membership & Financial Report of the Honorary Secretary/Treasurer: Dr J Brady 1

7. Report of the Honorary Librarian: Dr AT Hart

8. Report of the Honorary AVA Archivist: Dr F Doughty

9. Report of the Honorary Editor of the Australian Veterinary History Record: Dr AJ Turner

10. Election of Office Bearers: [current appointments in brackets] Hon President: [Mary Barton] Hon Secretary/Treasurer: [Jeff Brady] Hon Librarian: [Tom Hart] Hon Editor: [Andrew Turner] Committee: [Paul Canfield, Keith Hughes, Helen Fairnie, Dick Roe, Patricia MacWhirter, Tony Davidson] 11. General Business 11.1 Long History of Veterinary Science 11.2 Women in Veterinary Science – Production 11.3 Future of the AVHS

12. Location of next meeting of AVHS [The next AVA Conference is in Melbourne May 2017]

An Annual Dinner will be held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 25th May at Parlamento, 140 North Terrace, Adelaide.

Please indicate your intention to attend the dinner on the AVA Annual Conference 2015 Registration Form. Nominations for any of the Officer positions should be made in writing to the Secretary with the names of the members proposing and seconding the nomination and an affirmation that the nominee will stand for election and accept the position nominated for. Members with any items of business for the Annual Meeting should send that information to either the President or the Secretary at least one week before the meeting.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM: History stream Monday 23 May 2016 4.00-5.00 pm Dr Chris Bunn – The History of Torrens Island, South Australia, Quarantine 1850s to the present. 2

5.00 pm AVHS Annual Meeting.

Nominations for any of the Officer positions should be made in writing to the Secretary with the names of the members proposing and seconding the nomination and an affirmation that the nominee will stand for election and accept the position nominated for. Members with any items of business for the Annual Meeting should send that information to either the President or the Secretary at least one week before the meeting.

HISTORICAL ARTICLES The history of quarantine on Torrens Island, South Australia, 1850s to the present 1

Christopher Bunn 2 13 Burnside Street Watson ACT 2602

Introduction

Torrens Island is located in the Port river estuary about 15 km northwest of the Adelaide city centre. The island is approximately 750 ha and about 5kms in length. Its location at the mouth of Adelaide’s Port River, isolated from the main settlement, made it ideal for a quarantine station. It could be reached only by launch or barge, and had to provide its own facilities (including power, water and sewerage) until 1962, when a bridge was constructed from the mainland.

The South Australian Epidemic’s Act was passed in 1850 to provide for the prevention of the spread of epidemic and contagious human diseases from merchant vessels. As a response to an outbreak of whooping cough and diarrhoea and fever on-board, ill emigrants from the Trafalgar were landed and the others held in quarantine in tents on Torrens Island for 5 days. Enforcement of quarantine was compromised as people were allowed to leave to visit the city and ship. There would not appear to have been an adverse event from contact between passengers and residents.1,2

The second recorded human quarantine on Torrens Island was in July and August 1855 when passengers from the ship Taymouth Castle were detained on board due to an outbreak of smallpox and fever. Later it was decided to disembark the passengers on Torrens Island. As there were no permanent structures on the Island, 42 military style tents were used.3 The island's resident, Isaac Yeo, was effectively ordered off his land.

1 This paper is to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Veterinary Association in Adelaide Monday 23 May 2016. 2 Dr Bunn was Veterinary Officer, Commonwealth Department of Primary Industries, Torrens Island 1985-1991. 4

Despite being promised compensation, he did so with understandable anger.

The first permanent buildings on Torrens Island were completed in January 1857 at a cost of £726. They were erected north of the existing animal quarantine area which was on the southern tip of the island. The original weatherboard building, accommodating up to 80 people eventually became inadequate. By the 1870s the hulk Fitzjames, anchored off Semaphore, was used to supplement quarantine needs. In 1875 the Colonial Secretary recommended the establishment of a larger quarantine facility on Torrens Island.4

Little was done until April 1877 when the ship British Enterprise, arrived in Adelaide with passengers affected with small pox, measles, whooping cough and scarlet fever. As the available quarantine facilities couldn't accommodate the 440 passengers and crew, they were confined and fumigated aboard ship. Affected persons were removed to the Fitzjames and the remainder detained on the British Enterprise.5

The resulting embarrassment accelerated the need for a larger facility. After a final search for suitable locations, including Wardang, Wedge and Kangaroo Islands, Torrens Island was selected the most preferred.6 On 15 June 1878 The Advertiser reported:

‘The Government having decided on making Torrens Island the Quarantine Station, has purchased 30 wooden houses at Port Adelaide, and will have them erected on the island without delay.’7

An unspecified number, already under quarantine aboard the Fitzjames, became the first to occupy the new facility when they were transferred on 5 September 1879. Ironically, the agricultural arm of the government which was simultaneously conducting a search for a suitable, permanent cattle quarantine station also settled on Torrens Island. By the mid- 1880s all remaining land on the island was purchased by the SA Government and became Crown Land.4

While quarantine was the responsibility of State Governments, passage of the Federal Quarantine Act of 1908 made the Commonwealth responsible for the function, and on 1 July 1909, Torrens Island became Commonwealth property. However, a dispute over the value of the facility ensued8, and it wasn't until October 1917, that the Commonwealth Government paid the SA Government £27,750 for all property and the Island. 4

The natural isolation of this mangrove island made it an obvious choice for security purposes, and during World War I an internment camp was established on the southern tip of the island, heralding one of the most shameful episodes in Australia's history. About 300 men of German descent, mostly civilians, were arrested from recognised German settlements around South Australia and interned in a make-shift camp of army tents. Conditions here were notoriously harsh, not only from the unremitting elements but also from the appalling treatment handed out by authorities. Stories of floggings, bayonetting and even shooting of internees were reported in 1919. 9

Figure 1. The wharf and entry to Torrens Island 1924

After World Wars 1 & 2 the Quarantine station was used to treat soldiers who had contracted influenza and venereal diseases abroad. In 1921 a special venereal diseases hospital and compound was built to the south of the main buildings.10

The last major human confinement occurred in 1954 when the British migrant ship, the Strathaird, reported eight positive smallpox cases 6 aboard, while off Fremantle. Some 176 people were quarantined on Torrens Island. 11

In 1966, the Electricity Trust of South Australia opened a power station on the site of the original cattle quarantine yards at the southern tip of the island. With this came the first and only bridge, breaking the many years of natural isolation and bringing much welcomed electricity to the island. By 1977 a world-wide smallpox eradication program was nearing completion. In 1979 the World Health Organization proclaimed the world free from the disease. Consequently, the human quarantine facility was closed and Torrens Island reverted totally to animal control.

Animal Quarantine

The first mention of Torrens Island being used for animal quarantine purposes occurred in 1879.

‘The sheep imported from England by the Orient and detected to be diseased by the Chief Inspector Valentine have been twice carefully dressed ‘They will not be permitted to land until free of communicating the disease. We believe it is in contemplation to use Torrens Island and place these sheep there until thoroughly clean. This will be an advantage in the case of future lots of sheep which may arrive.’12

In August 1872, officials visited the island to determine a site for a cattle quarantine station. A severe epidemic of foot and mouth disease in Europe including Great Britain and reference to pleuropneumonia, swine fever and small pox in sheep in Turkey led to a prohibition of imports of stock except horses (and dogs) from 1872 until 1879.

‘A quarantine station for stock is to be established on Torrens Island. With smallpox, pleuropneumonia, fever, murrain, and all the other diseases to which emigrants and cattle are heir…’ 13

More details were provided in the South Australian Register:

‘The intended removal of the prohibition on the importation of stock from Europe has induced the Government to fix upon the extreme

southern end of Torrens Island as the site for a stock quarantine ground, and tenders will shortly be called for the erection of the necessary works in connection therewith. These comprise a small cottage for the use of the person who will be in charge, sheep-dipping places, and six cattle pens which will hold a dozen cattle, or may be used for the reception of sheep if required. Wells have already been sunk, and an area of twenty- five acres will be fenced in. When the works are in a fair way of being completed we presume the prohibition will be removed and the quarantine regulations issued. It will, we suppose, also be found necessary to appoint a special officer, whose duties should be not only to attend to the station, but who should also be available for the general inspection of cattle. The ground is at the opposite end of the island to that on which the quarantine station for infected persons arriving in the colony is situated.’ 14

In 1879 the station was used for the first time for the quarantine of 23 stud Shorthorn cattle.15

In 1881 five Shorthorn cattle were imported from England, but in 1882 further imports were prohibited due to another epidemic of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom. The prohibition appears to have continued until 1889 when the record shows eleven sheep and four cattle were imported.15

In 1883 united action was taken by the Australian colonies to prevent the importation of rabies. Orders provided for notice on arrival of a vessel with dogs in South Australia being given to port inspectors with all dogs required to be examined by a veterinary surgeon; if found healthy, they were to be moved into quarantine on Torrens Island for six months.15 In 1884, Orders, under the Public Health Act, were made ‘regulating the introduction of animals from Asia, Africa and all places beyond the limit of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand’.16

However, Western Australia did not join in with other colonies in agreeing to conditions applying to the countries from which animals might be imported. In 1890 GJ Valentine, the Chief inspector of Stock, reported ‘…. as Western Australia has not joined with other colonies in the prohibition and quarantine of foreign stock, all stock are now prohibited from being introduced from this colony into this province.’15

The importation of camels appeared to have started back in the 1840s. As the report for 1884 states: “…in 1884, because losses were occurring in India from foot and mouth disease and tuberculosis regulations were proclaimed requiring camels, deer, and antelope coming from countries in Asia and Africa suffering from ”"foot-and-mouth" or tuberculosis to be destroyed.”. Later a 90 day quarantine period was required for camels with the regulations referring to Torrens Island as the place for quarantine.15

In 1909 the animal quarantine station was relocated adjacent to the human quarantine area. Horse and cattle boxes were reconstructed in 1924 and dogs and cats were housed within the human compound.4 In the 1920s, to occupy employees on the island, the breeding of rabbits was encouraged probably for their use in the hospitals. This later led to a major infestation and the island became overrun by rabbits. Attempts were made to control rabbit infestations using dogs and other measures.

Figure 2. Dogs on Torrens Island 1924.

Figure 3. Rabbit breeding Torrens Island 1924.

By 1970s the livestock industries were increasingly concerned with their inability to import genetic material into Australia for the improvement of Australian flocks and herds. In 1974 a delegation of Commonwealth and State representatives investigated the possibility of setting up an off-shore animal quarantine facility to allow for the importation of livestock from countries of low animal health status. Norfolk, Christmas and Cocos Islands were investigated and Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean were chosen to build a high security animal quarantine station. Animal handling facilities were developed on Torrens Island to test a design for cattle yards and an anaerobic digester for later use on the tougher more remote conditions on the Cocos Islands. In order to test the facilities, import conditions for cattle and pigs from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada were developed and operated until the animal health status of the livestock populations changed. At the same time planning commenced for developing a high security testing laboratory to support the importation program and this became the Australian Animal Health Laboratory.17

Scrapie Freedom Assurance Program

From the 1950s to the mid-1980s, because of the fear of the disease scrapie, the importation of sheep and goats to Australia had been permitted from New Zealand only from the 1970s and resolution of their scrapie outbreaks in the 1950s. There had also been an outbreak of scrapie in one imported Suffolk sheep flock in Victoria in 1951.18

A new program to allow imports was developed. At first, the use of foreign quarantine stations was investigated but considered impractical for 10 a number of reasons. A program involving Cocos and Torrens Islands was developed to allow the introduction of sheep and goats from the United States of America. This led to the development of the scrapie freedom assurance program (SFAP).19

In 1984, 70 Angora goats and 20 sheep of Suffolk, Finn, Karakul, and Ramboiullet breeds were imported into Torrens under the SFAP. One part of the program involved collecting mesenteric lymph nodes from the imports and injecting homogenised material intracerebrally into mice. This part of the program was only partially successful because mice generally only live for 18 months.

The imposed conditions necessitated the isolation of the original animals in the cattle pens. Each animal was required to produce a minimum of five progeny (originally nine); either by embryo transfer or semen collection. The offspring would then remain a minimum of five years in quarantine. The progeny of the sheep and goats imported in 1984 were not released until the end of 1991. Of the original 20 syndicates involved with the importation, only four remained at Torrens Island. The other importing syndicates used secondary quarantine facilities at Kirra near Keith, South Australia, and another property at Telopea Downs, north of Kaniva, Victoria. Although privately owned and operated these quarantine stations were under the direct control of government veterinary officers of the State Departments of Agriculture.19

At its peak, Torrens Island had 1300 hundred goats and sheep under intensive field conditions. Major disease problems occurred with coccidia, corynebacterial infection, sugar gum poisoning (Eucalyptus cladocalyx), fatty liver and spider syndrome of Suffolks.

The imported animals, as a quarantine requirement, remained on concrete floor pens for the duration. They were initially weighed fortnightly, but it emerged that this was too infrequent to detect any gradual occurrence of weight loss. As the animals were being fed like monogastric animals receiving pelleted feed once or at most twice a day, ketosis/fatty liver and a number of ‘sudden’ deaths afflicted animals. As part of the treatment, more roughage was introduced into the diet. To mimic the browsing behaviour for goats, recently cut eucalypt branches were provided in the 11 diet. Due to the ‘Sunday syndrome’ of staff ignoring regular procedures and misidentification of the tree species being used, an outbreak of cyanide poisoning occurred resulting in sudden deaths. Emergency treatment involved immediate administration of oxygen and later treatment with sodium thiosulphate.

Another major problem in many of the imports was caseous lymphadenitis (Corynebacterium ovis). The disease was characterized by abscess formation in internal organs and lymph nodes. Its origin was not determined, but the bringing together of animals from different sources and the stress of travel and close confinement would have facilitated spread.

A severe skeletal deformity emerged in some of the F2 progeny of the imported Suffolk sheep. The condition was diagnosed as ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (spider syndrome) a fatal genetically inherited disease.20 This was an unfortunate consequence of the program and Suffolk sheep breeders are left with being encouraged to test their flocks genetically for spider syndrome and eliminate positive testing animals.

The fertile egg facility

In 1989 costing approximately $2 million, an avian facility was designed and built on Torrens Island to give commercial poultry breeders a reliable source of disease-free genetic stock. As all poultry and bird imports were ceased in 1948 due to a world pandemic of Newcastle disease, Australia’s commercial poultry was developed from existing stock and the productivity of that stock was grossly inferior to overseas stock.17 The lack of such a facility had led to some breeders attempting to smuggle new strains into Australia to improve their stock. 4

The facility was designed with extremely high biosecurity comprising a negative air pressure gradient, air filtration into and out of the facility, strict control of waste and effluent disposal and staff showering both on entering and leaving it. Consignments of fertile eggs were incubated and hatched in the facility, with the live birds being released when the post- arrival quarantine conditions of testing proved negative for the quarantine

12 diseases. The diseases tested for included Newcastle disease, avian influenza, Salmonella spp and infectious bursal disease.

The building is still in use. Close to 60 import consignments have occurred and all have been commercial stock except for two batches of fancy poultry. In 2013, one imported batch was destroyed because of the identification of infection with Salmonella pullorum, a disease not present in Australian commercial poultry.

Other animal quarantine issues during the 1980s

After high level representations, including a letter and representations from former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, Adelaide made a bid to stage the Sixth World Three Day Eventing Championships in 1986 at Gawler as part of SA’s Sesquicentenary Celebrations. Quarantine restrictions, applying to normal horse imports, had to change significantly to allow international horses to enter Australia for a short stay to compete in the Championships. The exercising facilities constructed on Torrens Island including a sand circuit, jumps, a dressage ring, and access to the Port River. Quarantine arrangements were streamlined for this event as a forerunner for other temporary importations of horse events and ultimately for the Sydney Olympic Games. The strategy developed for entry involved horses satisfying pre-export quarantine conditions of defined ‘safe’ countries and then directly transported to Australia and post-quarantine conditions at Torrens Island before competing at Gawler on the mainland. The countries participating Canada, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, United States of America and Australia. The Great Britain team won the Championships.21

Deer from New Zealand were subject to a 100 day quarantine, because of the presence of the parasite Elaphostrongylus cervi in NZ. In 1990, 130 elk and 40 red deer arrived to undertake the 100 day post-importation quarantine and testing program. Soon after arrival many animals became lame with over 30% developing clinical signs varying from foot infection through to cellulitis, depression and death. This arose because they were held in high density and wet underfoot conditions in the facility while

13 undergoing pre-export testing. During the quarantine period over 700 individual treatments were performed.

The station was also used for the successful importation of alpacas as well as on-going post-arrival quarantine of cats and dogs.

The events on Torrens Island are important elements of Australia’s history in the development of quarantine procedures and protocols to allow the safe importation of disease free people and animals, so protecting the human and stock populations already in Australia from new infectious and genetic diseases. This contrasts with issues arising from the importation of the deer, the Suffolks and some dogs and cats where the rigidity of the quarantine procedures allowed little allowance for the welfare of the animals to be adequately catered for. Overall, the quarantine program has allowed the safe importation of animals that have benefited Australian agriculture but perhaps the Suffolks should have been prevented entry on account of their genetic defect. It is a pity to see the station in its present state ― run down and neglected.

References 1. Anon. Local News. South Australian 5 April 1855 p2. 2. Brewer CP. Immigration. Sth Aust Gazette and Mining Journal 27 April 1850 p4. 3. Anon. Chamber of Commerce. Sth Aust Register 7 August 1855 p2. 4. Robertson D pers comm 1989. 5. Anon. Smallpox on board the immigrant ship British Enterprise Sth Aust Register 5 April 1877 p7. 6. Patterson AS. Quarantine Station Sth Aust Register 17 May 1877 p5,6. 7. Anon. The Advertiser The Sth Aust Register 15 June 1883 p 4,5. 8. Anon. News of the Day. The Register 13 March 1915 p8. 9. Adelaide Truth 31 May 1919. 10. South Australian Medical History Society. Torrens Island Quarantine Station. http://samhs.org.au/Virtual%20Museum/hospital-andother- orgs/Torrens_Island_Quarantine/Torrens_Island_Quarantine.html. 10. SA government gazette Regulations under the Public Health Act. 18 Dec 1884 57:2145-47 11. Anon. Happiest Group The Advertiser 14 August 1954 p3. 12. Anon. Imported scabby sheep. Sth Aust Register 16 December 1869. 13. Anon. Port Adelaide News 26 April 1879 p2. 14. Anon. Stock Quarantine Station. Sth Aust Register 22 April 1879 p4. 15. Valentine GJ. Annual Reports of the Chief Inspector of Stock. 1872 onwards 16. http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/left_nav/department_of_agriculture_programs/pest_and_dis ease_programs/quarantine. 17. Turner AJ pers comm 2016. 18. Bull LB and Murnane D. An outbreak of scrapie in British sheep imported into Victoria. Aust Vet J 1958 34:213-5. 14

19. Anon. Import Risk Analysis Report on the Revision of Import Policy related to Scrapie. AQIS 2000 http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ba/memos/2000/animal/00-038a.pdf. 20. Phillips P, C Bunn, C Anderson. Ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (spider syndrome) in Suffolk lambs Aust Vet J 1993, 70:73-74. 21. Doyle KA. The development of conditions for the importation of horses for the Olympic Games. Aust Vet Hist Rec 2000 No 27 pp 9-19.

Robert Nairn Johnstone 1884–1935

Margaret Lacy 30 Tuppal Street, Finley NSW 2713 Introduction

Robert Nairn Johnstone was the second son of Glenaroua1 farmers John Johnstone and Janet Kerr. Robert had an unsettled childhood following the death of his mother when he was three. Despite this, he managed to study Veterinary Science in Melbourne graduating in 1910. Following his studies he practised at Warracknabeal and after starting work with the Victorian Department of Agriculture as a junior veterinary officer rose to reach the position of the first superintendent of livestock and chief veterinary inspector. Robert enlisted for World War 1 (WW1) in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps (AAVC) but an injury on service resulted in the termination of his commission after just one transport duty overseas but by his death he became Deputy Assistant Director Veterinary Services, 2nd Cavalry Division holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Family Background

Robert’s mother, Janet Kerr, aged 2 years, arrived in Victoria in 1853 from Scotland on The British Queen with her parents, Archibald Kerr and Margaret Henderson, an older sister and her maternal grandparents (John and Elizabeth Henderson) and their eight other children, including Margaret Henderson, and extended family.i2 Archibald Kerr selected Crown Land in the Parish of Glenaroua in 1866. In 1870, Janet also selected further land at Glenaroua.3

John Johnstone, the father of Robert Nairn Johnston, was born in Glenaroua in 1853. His parents Robert Johnstone and Elizabeth Nairn 15 married in Fifeshire Scotland and came to Victoria in 1849. John along with his father selected Crown Land in the Parish of Glenaroua in the late 1870s and again in 1887.4

Janet Kerr and John Johnstone married on the 10 September 1878 at the Presbyterian Church, High Camp, south of Pyalong.5 They had 2 sons Archibald Kerr Johnstone born in 1880 and Robert Nairn Johnstone born on 20 March 1884 at Glenaroua. Janet died aged 35 on 20 November 1887 at Glenaroua of heart failure as the consequence of a chest infection. Archibald was 7 years of age and Robert just 3 years.6 Archibald and Robert Johnstone were supported by their maternal grandfather, Archibald Kerr, and their aunts following their mother’s death.7

John Johnstone married Harriet Anne De Potter in 1888. There were 8 children born to this marriage.8 The marriage ended in divorce in 1905. In 1905 John Johnstone married for a third time Mary Johanna Vincent nee Giese in 1905 in Victoria. Mary was a widow with 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter, who came to live in the household with their mother and stepfather. John and Mary had one son Alfred Valentine Johnstone born 1907 at Carlton, Victoria.9

Veterinary Training

Robert Johnstone at the age of 21 enrolled at the Melbourne Veterinary College in 1905 to study Veterinary Science under William Tyson Kendall MRCVS. During his studies, Robert continued to receive financial assistance from his maternal grandfather. In 1906, Robert undertook the first year subjects of biology and physics and chemistry at the University of Melbourne attaining passes in both subjects in November 1906.10 At the start of Robert’s fourth and final year in 1909, the Melbourne Veterinary College was absorbed into the University of Melbourne following the establishment of the Veterinary School with the appointment of Professor JA Gilruth MRCVS as Dean. WT Kendall was appointed lecturer in veterinary clinical medicine. As part of the absorption conditions, Robert and Kendall’s other students were offered the opportunity to graduate as License in Veterinary Science (LVSc) or by doing further study attain a full Bachelor degree in Veterinary Science (BVSc). Pressure was put on future students commencing the veterinary

16 science course to attain or enter with matriculation from school as laid out in the 1909 Veterinary School Prospectus on the requirements entry to the course:

‘The statutes enacted by the Council and Senate of the University, … provide for two courses: one of four and a-half years, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and ultimately to the degree of Doctor; the other of four years leading to the License in Veterinary Science. The candidate for the degree is required to pass a preliminary examination similar to that required for the medical profession and for all Veterinary Schools in the United Kingdom (viz., Latin, English, Arithmetic, Alegbra, Geometry, and one of the following optional subjects Greek, French or German). A candidate for the Licentiate is required to pass a preliminary examination of a lower standard, in those subjects which are indispensable for an understanding of the work of the course—viz., English, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry, and two other optional subjects. The Licentiate also requires a less exacting scientific training during the first year, but during the other three years the work is exactly the same as for the degree. A student who has obtained the License is entitled to registration as a Veterinary Surgeon in Victoria. Nevertheless an intending student is strongly advised to matriculate, and enter for the degree. Not only will they find the scientific study much easier by virtue of the higher preliminary work, but it is considered more than probable that in future years successful candidates for official veterinary positions will require to be possessed of the degree. The fees payable for Veterinary courses are as follows:—Bachelor of Veterinary Science:—For Matriculation, £1 1 0; License in Veterinary Science:—For the First Year; £18 0 0; For the Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year £25 0 0; For the Fifth Year £20 0 0; For the License £5 5 0; For the Degree £7 7 0.’11

With WT Kendall continuing to act as the lecturer and instructor in veterinary medicine, classes continued at his Melbourne Veterinary College in Fitzroy until clinical facilities were established on the Parkville site of the Veterinary Research Institute. It was on Christmas Day 1909 that the examination results for a final year Veterinary License were published in the Australasian Newspaper: ‘Veterinary Medicine Fourth Year License Robert Nairn Johnstone, Thomas Matson, George Cameron McLennan and Charles Norman Meyers – passed.’12

Robert graduated LVSc on 23 December 1909 and was awarded the gold medal in veterinary surgery donated by Messrs A & T Tye of the Allendale Stock Farm. Robert completed his further studies in advanced pathology and bacteriology, state municipal and sanitary science, vegetable pathology and entomology in August 1910 and completed an operative examination in surgery and clinical surgery in December 1910 qualifying him for the Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science. The BVSc degree was conferred on 5 April 1913.10 Following completion of his subjects in August 1910, Robert practised at Warracknabeal Victoria for a short time and later in the year, joined the Victorian Department of Agriculture as a junior veterinary officer.13

In 1912 Robert, aged 28 married Jessie Hayden Cuthbert in Sydney NSW. Jessie was born in 1872 at Bellarine, Victoria. No children were born to Robert and Jessie.14

Veterinary Work

In Victoria, under the auspices of local Agriculture Societies, annual Stallion Parades were held for a government certificate of soundness. It was not until 1919 that stallion parades and certificates were provided for in the Horse Breeding Act 1919. Robert was one of the examiners in his capacity as a veterinary officer. The parades were reported on in the local newspapers as follows:

‘STALLION PARADES; the annual examination of stallions was held at the Bendigo Show Grounds, Thursday, when of the 12 entries 9 were paraded before a large gathering of interested spectators. The examination was conducted by Mr RN Johnstone, veterinary officer of the Agricultural Department, but the results will only be communicated to the owner of the stallion in each case. The parade was a fairly good one, and comprised draught stock, trotters, thoroughbreds and ponies.’15

The chief veterinary officer of Victoria issued an annual report on the veterinary examination of stallions and those receiving the government certificate of soundness were reported in the Journal of Agriculture. A certificate of soundness stated a stallion was ‘free from such diseases or defects deemed to constitute hereditary unsoundness’.16,17

Military Service

Robert had previous experience as Captain in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps (AAVC), 3rd Military District. Robert Johnstone enlisted for service in WW1 in the Australian Imperial Forces on 10 November 1915 and appointed Captain and Transport Officer commencing 11 November. He was 31 years and 8 months of age when his address was Arundel, Commercial Road, Melbourne. Robert was certified by the medical officer as ‘capable of bearing the fatigue incident in the performance of military duty’, which all conscripts were certified. However his commanding officer and fellow Victorian veterinary officer, EA Kendall BVSc, ‘recommended his appointment be posted for one voyage only’ on the same date.18 This recommendation may well have been made so that some state veterinary staff remained in order to maintain animal health and production standards as part of the war effort. Melbourne and Sydney University courses in veterinary science were truncated by shortening vacation periods and courses and many graduates 1914-18 enlisted soon after graduating. Some 121 000 horses were exported from Australia during WW1. The activities with horses at the Maribyrnong Remount Depot and loading on a ship for the Middle East during the War can be seen at www.awm.gov.au/collection/F00136.

Robert embarked with a load of horses on 15 November 1915 from Melbourne per His Majesty’s Army Transport A6 Clan Mac Corquodale for Suez. After two weeks leave in Egypt, he returned sailing from Suez on the Ulysses disembarking in Melbourne on 5 January 1916. This was Robert’s only term of duty as a transport officer because he suffered from the after effects of a fractured skull accompanied by blurred vision obtained whilst on service.18

Robert’s appointment as a Transport Officer was terminated on 7 January 1916,18 and Robert was assessed medically on 22 June 1916. The examination reported that his blurred vision continued and that he was unfit for service at home or abroad. It was at this examination that the accident was recorded as incurring ‘in the service’ and ‘in the line of military duty’. On 29 July 1916, a further medical examination was conducted and it was reported Robert ‘had only some impairment of vision of a slight degree’ and ‘fit for light duties at home but not abroad’.18 Despite the above experience,

Robert retained an active interest in the AAVC. At the time of his death in 1935, he was Deputy Assistant Director Veterinary Services (DADVS) of 2nd Cavalry Division, and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.13

Back to veterinary work

Following the completion of his term of duty as Transport Officer, Robert resumed his duties as a veterinary officer in the Department of Agriculture with severely depleted numbers of veterinarians in service. In July 1916, the ninth year of stallion examinations, there was a shortage of veterinary officers due to those enlisted in WW1 service. WAN Robertson DVSc chief veterinary officer called the Commonwealth Defence Department for assistance and the services of Lieutenant Colonel EA Kendall, fellow veterinary officer, and Captain RN Johnstone were made available for a limited period. WM Lerew graduate of the Melbourne veterinary college (GMVC), a practitioner from Hamilton, and WJ Cother GMVC, retired chief inspector of stock, also assisted with the stallion examinations.19 While visiting various towns in Victoria as a guest of local Agricultural Associations for the stallion parades, veterinary officers were invited by the Societies to give lectures in the evening. Some Agricultural Associations had a program of lectures and demonstrations throughout the year.

In 1917, Robert and his brother Archibald sold a portion of the property bequeathed to them by their late grandfather Archibald Kerr.20,21

In 1918, the Victorian Government released Robert Johnstone to Tasmania to assist RCT Philp LVSc, government veterinary surgeon, to investigate an outbreak of blackleg disease in calves in the north western districts. Robert only found one case of blackleg at Penguin after visiting many farms in the Wynyard, Burnie, Upper Mount Hicks and Penguin Districts. While many farmers were interviewed, only three described calves that had been diagnosed with blackleg by local veterinarians. However, Robert believed that this disease did not correspond with black disease but resembled another disease haemorrhagic septicaemia. The question arose as to whether farmer’s calves were affected by blackleg before or after inoculation because inoculation caused mild clinical signs of the disease but also cause death in some calves. In Robert’s written report of his inspection of blackleg disease in calves in the Wynyard District of Tasmania he 20 recommended, that in view of the undoubted existence of blackleg disease in Tasmania:

‘1. That the prohibition of inoculation without Ministerial authority be adhered to; 2. That all farms on which the disease is proved to exist be relegated as infected areas, and that all stock on these areas between the ages of 6 and 18 months be inoculated annually by Government officers, using vaccine supplied by the department free of charge; inoculation of animals under the age of 6 months confers only a temporary immunity lasting a few weeks, or none at all; 3. That stock inspectors and dairy supervisors receive instruction in the proper method of administering the vaccine. 4. On hygienic measures, steps should be taken to destroy the carcases of all animals that have died of the disease, preferably by fire. The body should be burned where it lies, and an area surrounding the carcase should be burnt. If there is no wood for burning, the carcase should be buried at least 6 ft deep and covered with quicklime. If the animal has died near buildings where burning is not possible the area should be disinfected by spraying with 5 per cent, lysol, crude carbolic, or other coal tar disinfectants. The eradication of infection in pastures should be dealt with by draining wet areas, ploughing and the planting trees. If those measures are not possible, it is advisable to stock infected pastures with mature animals only.’22

In late 1921, Robert Johnstone was sent from Melbourne to the Casterton district in Victoria to manage the operations to eradicate an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. The control measures applied included the quarantine of roads and farms and the detection and slaughter of affected cattle.23

In 1923-24, an outbreak of the exotic viral disease rinderpest, or cattle plague, occurred in Western Australia (WA). Mr Henry Gregory MHR, the state member for Swan, WA24 stated that the outbreak ‘was one which came short of being a national calamity’ without effective control measures.25 Robert Johnstone went to WA in December 1923 to relieve the Commonwealth representative on the Rinderpest Board of Control, WAN Robertson, the Victorian chief veterinary officer.26

During Robert’s time in WA, the rinderpest restrictions imposed to control the disease were reduced including the size of the quarantine areas and new boundaries were imposed around the Rockingham and Fremantle areas. The lifting of the restrictions was being delayed because some people in the slaughter out areas refused to hand over their second hand bags [used chaff and grain sacks]. With the bag issue resolved by Robert, it was reported in the SA Chronicle on February 1924 that disinfection of the Rinderpest affected farms was completed:

‘Mr RN Johnstone (Commonwealth representative on the Rinderpest Board of Control) states that he has inspected all the infected farms in the Belmont, Bassenden, and South Fremantle areas, and that with the exception of a few minor details which will be attended to within a few days the sterilisation of all these farms is now completed. Should no further cases of Rinderpest occur in the meantime, owners in these areas will be allowed to restock them on and after February 21 on the following conditions:— (1) Permits will be issued to bring cattle onto these farms on condition that provision is made for holding the cattle in a 'cure' paddock, where they will be kept under constant observation; (2) Until further released from quarantine, no cattle will be allowed to leave the area; (3) Cattle will only be allowed on the Fremantle common on permit; and (4) if they are herded and kept under control during the whole time they are on the common.’27

In May 1925, the School of Agriculture on Wheels was initiated to educate farmers in the dairying areas of Victoria by the Victorian Dairy Industry and Department of Agriculture. Robert Johnstone was one of the lecturers on the project.

‘Five cattle trucks on the Better Farming Train that was taken through the Gippsland and Western Districts of Victoria were specially fitted and divided into three padded compartments for cattle. Upon arrival at a station, when it had been arranged that lectures should be given and an opportunity afforded of inspecting the train, twenty six stations being visited - the mode of procedure was as follows. Where station accommodation permitted, the trucks and cars were not disconnected. Within a quarter of an hour of the arrival of the train, cattle were walked out and tied to a fence in the station yard; the sides of the pig truck were let down to enable farmers to view the animals easily; the side platforms of the pasture plot cars were lowered and the doors of all

the other cars were opened. The train school was thus opened and was soon in full swing. At many of the stations hundreds of men, women and children almost immediately entered the train, and made an inspection of pasture plots and animals from the platforms. At a prominent place on the station platform a blackboard indicated the order and times of the lectures for the day. So attractive were some of the lectures that from 400 to 500 people surrounded some of the lecturers. Only one day was given to each centre, the train generally moving from centre to centre in the early mornings.’28

An investigation of diseased horses on the Sale Common by Robert Johnstone in July 1925 found that the cause of mortality was due to a mass infestation of parasites of various species. Due to this report, recommendations were made by WAN Robertson, chief veterinary officer, for the treatment of the horses on the Common and also for the prohibition on:

‘The grazing of horses on the Common should be prohibited for a period of at least two years. In this way the ova of the parasites would be destroyed and re-infestation prevented in the meantime; the horses on the Common should be treated by the adding of the oil of chenopodium3 from half to one ounce according to size; to be followed immediately by a dose of linseed oil (one pint). The maximum dose should be used only for large strong horses. In order to prevent re-infestation of the pasture after it has been kept clear for two years, it is further advised that no horses should be placed on the Common unless they have previously been treated by oil of chendopodium and linseed oil.’ 29

On 30 June 1926, WAN Robertson, chief veterinary officer, resigned to take up the position of Director of Veterinary Hygiene in the national quarantine service and effectively became the first Commonwealth chief veterinary officer coordinating national animal quarantine operations with and between the States.30 Lieutenant-Colonel EA Kendall BVSc, commanding officer of the AAVC during WW1, became chief veterinary officer, and Robert Johnstone was appointed senior veterinary officer responsible for planning and coordinating animal disease control activities in Victoria.

3 Oil of wormseed, C. ambrosioides, an anthelmintic of the time. 23

In 1927, swine fever occurred in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Robert Johnstone reported to the Veterinary Association of Victoria that the disease in Victoria had affected 134 farms and 5 343 pigs died or were slaughtered to control the disease. Interestingly, apparently normal pigs on affected farms were slaughtered and passed for human consumption despite swill feeding being identified as the major medium for spread of the disease. Johnstone thought the disease had been spread by coastal shipping and had the ‘opinion that pig products should be prohibited from countries where swine fever is known to exist’.31

In 1929, Robert Johnstone was involved in a dispute with HC Wilson manager of the State Research Farm at Werribee when sheep from the farm at the Australian Sheepbreeders’ Association Show were alleged in Parliament to be infested with ticks or keds (Melophagus ovinus). The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Pennington, and Director of Agriculture, SS Cameron MRCVS DVSc, became involved and ordered Robert to investigate who then did so with two experienced stock inspectors. Wilson found one live tick and also dead ticks and eggs in the affected sheep. Robert reported that he found live ticks and eggs and dirt on eight sheep. One sheep had many live ticks and there one to six live ticks on the other seven sheep. The 1 480 sheep on the farm had been twice dipped before the show but obviously ineffectually.32 Among a sample of 147 selected sheep on the Farm, 14 were classified as free of infestation, 42 lightly infested, 54 infested and 37 heavily infested with more than 20 ticks. No lice were detected. Loose wool in the woolshed and its wooden construction, including cracks, provided an ideal environment for harbouring the ticks. It was recorded that sheep in smaller lots in proximity to the woolshed were more heavily infested with ticks in comparison with sheep kept in large mobs away from the woolshed. The flock was subjected to shearing and regular dipping and keeping sheep away from the woolshed and yards for some months after completing shearing.33

In 1930-31 and again in 1932-33 pseudo poultry plague or Newcastle disease occurred in Victoria, The first cases of the disease were discovered in poultry flocks in December 1930. As senior veterinary officer, Robert Johnstone’s duty was to plan and lead the control and eradication program. Quarantine restrictions on poultry were applied over 24 the whole state of Victoria. A survey was done to determine the spread of the disease34 which is a highly contagious exotic viral disease of poultry, aviary and wild birds.35

The survey showed that Newcastle disease had not spread to the country districts to any great extent. Quarantine restrictions were then confined to the suburban and outer suburban areas. A total of 72 farms became infected with the disease involving 22 284 birds. The last outbreak was detected on 6 March 1931 after which all quarantine restrictions were removed. Every endeavour was made to trace the source of the Newcastle disease outbreak. Although the source of the infection was not established, it was believed that viscera from infected birds found their way into ship’s garbage which had landed against regulation and was subsequently fed to poultry.36 Swill or garbage feeding of poultry was common practice in the poultry industry of the 1930s and 40s.

The 1932-33 outbreak commenced on the 4 October 1932, appearing on 2 properties at Flemington. The infected poultry on both properties had come from the Queen Victoria Market. The vendor was traced and found to have the disease on the property.33 Again the origin of the infection could not be definitely determined but it most likely resulted from infected carcases of poultry placed in cool rooms just prior to identifying the 1930-31 outbreaks and subsequently fed as swill.36

Once again Robert Johnstone led the control and eradication of the Newcastle disease outbreak by establishing a quarantine area 25 miles from the Melbourne GPO, quarantining and destroying birds on affected farms and other places, applying disinfection procedures where the disease was found and applying strict movement controls.36

Robert Johnstone gave lectures at various venues in Victoria on veterinary subjects such as horse and dairy cattle ailments, breeding of horses and cattle, common horse colics, mineral deficiencies in stock and contagious diseases of stock; he also gave radio talks on such topics as Newcastle disease, swine fever and sheep dipping; he had articles published in the Journal of Agriculture, Victoria on many diverse topics including laminitis or founder wheat gorge in horses, cattle and sheep. He was referred to in articles, some of these articles were published in newspapers 25 around the nation and he also spoke or gave his advice at the Victorian and Australian Veterinary Association meetings. His advice was sought on many more occasions than written about as senior veterinary officer of the Department of Agriculture in Victoria.37

In March 1934, Robert Johnstone was appointed to succeed the late SS Cameron MRCVS DVSc as lecturer in animal husbandry in the School of Agriculture.38 In August 1934, EA Kendall, due to ill health, resigned as chief veterinary officer to become Chairman of the Milk Board and RN Johnstone was appointed Head of the Veterinary Branch of the Department of Agriculture, a position which became titled as the first superintendent of livestock and chief veterinary inspector.39

After only a short period as superintendent of livestock, Robert Johnstone sadly died at his home in East Melbourne on 7 June 1935 at the age of 51 of coronary heart disease.40 He was survived by his wife Jessie, who died in 1945 at East Malvern Victoria aged 73.41

Robert graduated from University in 1910 and in a span of 25 years as a veterinarian had achieved to great heights. His obituary article below in The Australasian summarises his achievements. It states that he was a gifted organiser and administrator; that he took a great interest in all matters connected with the veterinary profession; that he possessed professional attainments of a high order and that his most pleasing personality gained for him innumerable admirers and friends. For one who grew up with adversity and unrest, this was a remarkable achievement. What might have been had he lived to retire at age 65 can only be imagined.

‘MR R N JOHNSTONE; THROUGH the death of Mr R N Johnstone BVSc, chief veterinary officer for Victoria and superintendent of the live stock division, to which position he was appointed upon the retirement of Mr EA Kendall, BVSc, CMG in 1934, the State has lost the services of a gifted organiser and administrator. Mr Johnstone joined the department in 1910, and became senior veterinary officer in 1928. He took great interest in all matters connected with the veterinary profession, and at the time of his death he was president of the Veterinary Association of Victoria. He was also honorary registrar of the Veterinary Board of Victoria for many years. In 1923 he was selected, with Dr WAN Robertson, DVSc and RJ de C Talbot, BVSc, to proceed to Western Australia to deal with the outbreak of Rinderpest. On the return to Victoria of his confreres, he remained behind to finalise

the elimination of this dreaded disease, which he successfully accomplished. Mr Johnstone was well and favourably known, particularly among horse owners throughout Victoria, and he rendered signal service to all branches of the live stock breeding industry. He possessed professional attainments of a high order, which, combined with a most pleasing personality, gained for him innumerable admirers and friends. His passing will be deeply and sincerely regretted.’42

References 1. Glenaroua is situated east of Pyalong and north of Kilmore in Victoria. 2. State Library of Victoria Shipping Records. 3. Public Records Office Victoria. 4. Glenaroua Land Map, Public records Victoria. Kilmore Free Press 7 July 1887 p3 5. Family information, Marriage registered in Victoria, no place of marriage given on Cd of Victorian marriages on the Pioneer indexes from the Public Records Office Victoria. Registration number of marriage 3693 under Johnston/Kerr 6. Family Records 7. Family Information. 8. Birth, Marriages and Deaths, Public Records Office Victoria. 9. Birth, Marriages and Deaths, Public Records Office Victoria. 10. Student records. Melbourne University Enrolment No 060105 accessed February 2016. 11. Melbourne University Prospectus 1909 pp19-21. 12. University of Melbourne Annual Examinations, November 1909. The Australasian 25 Dec 1909 p5. 13. Obituary, RN Johnstone. Aust Vet J 1935 11:123. 14. Birth, Marriages and Deaths Public Record Offices, Victoria and NSW. 15. Stallion Parades. The Bendigonian 28 July 1914 p7. 16. Annual Report, Lectures and Demonstrations. Mildura Telegraph and Darling and Lower Murray Advocate 4 May 1915 p3. 17. Local News. The Mildura Cultivator 15 August 1914 p7. 18. Australian War Memorial Records, Australian Military Forces on-line. 19. Horse Breeding Industry. Numurkah Leader 7 July 1916 p4. 20. For sale. Kilmore Free Press 29 September 1917 p3. 21. Land sales. Kilmore Free Press 27 October 1917 p3. 22. Victorian Veterinary Surgeons Report, Blackleg in Calves. The Mercury 9 May 1918 p6. 23. Rural Topics. The Australasian 19 November 1921 p5. 24. Gregory H MHR. Dead Veteran Member. The Argus 16 November 1940 p5. 25. Rinderpest Outbreak. The Australasian 16 February 1924 p10. 26. Rinderpest Outbreak. Additional Officers to Assist, Daily Standard 19 December 1923 p2. 27. Rinderpest, Sterilization of Farms Completed. Chronicle 16 February 1924 p53. 28. The Dairying Industry, School of Agriculture on Wheels, Opening Train for Exhibition. Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier 1 May 1925 p3. 29. Sale Common, Treatment of Disease Horses. Gippsland Times 6 July 1925 p5. 30. Resignations Vic Gov Gaz 1926 25 August 116 p2488. 31. Veterinary Association of Victoria. Aust Vet J 1928 4:36-37. 32. Tick-infested sheep, Inspectors’ examination, Discrepancies in reports. The Argus 1 August 1929 p16. 33. “Ticky” sheep scandal, Veterinary officer’s report; Minister’s statement, Whole flock to be dealt with. The Age 7 August 1929 p12.

34. R Johnstone Poultry Plague, Victorian Outbreak Vic J Agric Jan p193: Shepparton Advertiser 6 February 1933 p6. 35. agriculture.vic.gov.au/...diseases-and...diseases/poultry/newcastle-disease Jun 11, 2015. 36. Seddon HR. Newcastle disease in Diseases of Domestic Animals in Australia Part 4 Aust Gov Printer Canberra 1953 p151-156

37. Trove Newspapers on-line, National Library of Australia; topics included Bloat in sheep Nov 1930; Actinomycosis of the udder May 1929; Mycotic dermatitis Dec 1929; Mineral deficiency in cattle Aug 1932; Black disease Aug 1932; Phosphorus deficiency in cattle infertility Mar 1933; Arsenic and coccidiosis deaths in cattle Jun 1933; Grass Tetanus [Tetany] Oct 1933; Black leg in sheep Nov 1933. 38. Personal. The Argus 14 March 1934 p6. 39. Personal. The Age 7 August 1934 p13. 40. Death Certificate, Public Records Office Victoria. 41. Births, Marriages and Deaths, Public Records Office Victoria. 42. Rural Topics, RN Johnstone. The Australasian 22 Jun 1935 p31.