Arnold Theiler and colleagues: a -successful cooperation between -Switzerland and South Africa

The start of the Swiss-South African connection and cooperation dates back to the late 19th century, when a shortage of veterinarians in Transvaal (South African Republic, ZAR) motivated Arnold Theiler to seek his chance there. He became successful and famous fighting a smallpox epidemic and rinderpest after a difficult start as practicing veterinarian. Prior to the establishment of the «Veterinary Bacteriological Laboratories of the Transvaal» in 1908 Theiler as the head of the institution could motivate some Swiss veterinarians to come and work with him. The opening of the new laboratory made e. g. Walter Frei, later professor for veterinary pathology at Zurich and Karl Friedrich Meyer, becoming an eminent scientist in the USA later taking the opportunity to work with Theiler. World War I interrupted Theiler's hiring activities of more Swiss veterinarians. Only after the establishment of the veterinary faculty at Onderstepoort in 1920 he was able to recruit more Swiss veterinarians, e. g. Werner Steck, who later became professor at the veterinary faculty in Berne. Many of the other veterinarians at the faculty were sent to Switzerland to obtain further qualification or to obtain the degree of Dr. med. vet. and thus continued the successful cooperation started by Theiler.