Oorsig/Review
Other important contributions were made in toxicology, including Geeldikkop (reconfirming that the
plant Tribulus terrestris and not Selenium was the cause), enzootic icterus (proposing it was a form
of copper poisoning), and urolithiasis (suggesting the major role of phosphorus in the aetiology). His
other notable interest was the bacterial diseases of sheep and goats.
Disease prevention, and the promotion of systems that improved profits sustainably, were two
major guidelines for his contributions. He was thus one of the early supporters of the holistic
approach that led to herd/flock health and production work by veterinarians. By his example and
enthusiasm, he inspired a generation of veterinarians to take up his approach. His knowledge of
almost all matters relating to sheep and sheep farming was legendary and virtually unrivalled. His
drive, encouragement and persistence led to the expansion and improvement of the Veterinary
Investigation Centre at Grootfontein into the foremost diagnostic and veterinary research centre for
small ruminants in South Africa. Because the Onderstepoort fraternity of that time frowned on any
outside organisation undertaking veterinary research, he had to disguise his work as “investigations”.
Staff, facilities and equipment were expanded and improved to cope with a wide variety of diagnostic
and research problems. At farmers’ days and meetings he was a popular contributor with a mixture
of practical advice, simplifications of complex matters, and down-to-earth humour.
He was ferocious in defending his staff and promoting their interests and thus he got the best out
of them, as well as earning their respect and loyalty. He was known as an excellent lecturer and
could quote his notes verbatim without consulting them in a lecture. He was much in demand at the
Grootfontein College of Agriculture as well as the national then Department of Agricultural Technical
Services on a wide variety of matters concerning veterinary science and small stock. Organised
agriculture also made use of his advice.
HOMEAGES AND DISTINCTIONS
He was widely recognised and honoured for his expertise but unfortunately there are no records of
the forms this took. He was awarded the Silver Medal of the South African Veterinary Association
in 1985. He served on the Middelburg Town Council from 31 July 1973 to 4 September 1984, and
as Mayor from 23 September 1975 to 9 September 1980, and again from 16 September 1982 to 12
September 1983. While State Veterinarian in de Aar, he played as scrum-half for the Griquas rugby
team. It was in 1965 that he received national attention for his role in the de Aar horse endurance
marathon, where scores of horses died after starting the second day. Despite flimsy and debatable
evidence, the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute pathologists attributed this to Azoturia (Monday
Morning Disease), a diagnosis which he strongly contested and was supported in this by many
experts. He was convinced it was poisoning, probably nitrite, and kept his evidence until his death
(this is no longer to be found). The incident made front-page news in the Sunday Times for a few
weeks.
WRITINGS
Author or co-author of at least 23 traced articles in peer-reviewed Journals, although his website
biography records “over 40”. There were many more “scientific” articles and contributions in other
journals and publications, quite possibly “over 100” as recorded in his biography – if this includes
articles written for lay readers. It must be noted that these contributions covered a period of less
than 20 years.
PERSONALITY
Marius van Tonder was generous, inspirational, and very supportive of his staff. He was fearless
and could be very combative when he felt a key issue had to be defended. He had a huge appetite
for work and wrote prolifically to facilitate matters in his laboratory. In social situations, and even
in the work sphere, he had a great sense of humour, cracking jokes, making fun of puffed-up egos,
parodying characters and telling a wide variety of yarns. He was a great family man and spent any
spare time at home, often in the garden.
SOURCES
C.H.B. Marlow. 2010
A brief history of equine private practice in South Africa.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association Volume: 81 Issue: 4. Pages: 190-200
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