Veterinary Science - Theses

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    Diseases of animals in eastern Australia with particular reference to sporozoan infections
    Munday, Barry Laing ( 1992)
    Since graduating Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1956 I have been involved in many facets of veterinary science, from clinical practice to management of Tasmania's only veterinary laboratory and, more recently, teaching and research in aquaculture. Throughout these 36 years of experience I have relished challenge and have learnt to question conventional wisdom when this was not supported by adequate scientific enquiry and verification. My enthusiasm for applied research commenced in 1957 when I was posted to King Island, a fertile windswept tract of land beset with problems of micronutrient deficiencies, infectious infertilities of domestic animals and a faltering, bureaucratic Soldier Settlement Scheme. In 1961, after a short period acting as Veterinary Specialist Officer in charge of disease control in Tasmania, I entered Mt Pleasant Laboratories as a veterinary pathologist with considerable enthusiasm, but limited skills. Over the next eight years I undertook a virtual correspondence apprenticeship with Dr Bill Hartley which enabled me to profit from the profusion of interesting and enigmatic disease conditions encountered in many species, both domestic and wild, in the State. In 1968 I was privileged to spend a year at the University of Melbourne's Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee where a virtual galaxy of veterinary pathology talent was assembled in one place, Professors Ken Jubb and Peter Kennedy, Drs Nigel Palmer, Wally White, Roger Kelly and Peter Hooper all helped to make this a memorable learning experience. My Master's thesis at that time was on the subject of toxoplasmosis and this, and other sporozoan diseases have continued to attract my interest to this day. Although funds and facilities for veterinary research were limited in Tasmania in the 1960s and early 1970s, the interest shown in wildlife by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Mr Keith Meldrum, encouraged me to investigate and monitor disease conditions in Tasmanian wildlife. This interest led me to establish the Australasian Section of the Wildlife Association, which is now one of the most vital of the Association's Sections. In 1985, in recognition of my work in this field, I was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Wildlife Disease Association. My contribution to veterinary pathology has been recognized over the years by my admission as a foundation member to both the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and the Pathobiology Chapter of the College. More recently, I was granted registration as a Veterinary Specialist (Pathobiology) in Tasmania. I have also been fortunate to have interacted with medical pathologists in Tasmania for many years and, more recently, have been appointed a Honorary Research Associate within the Medical School. It is hoped that this short introduction will prepare the reader for the range and variety of subjects presented in the papers which comprise this thesis. It should be noted that these papers all include a component of research or investigation. Articles relating to clinical veterinary science or educational reviews have not been included.