Dr A.D. Thomas : Onderstepoort staff

Abstract

Alexis Daniel Thomas was born in Switzerland on 12/7/1899, he came to South Africa as a small boy with his parents. He joined the Department of Agriculture as a temporary stockman and was stationed at Armoedsvlakte shortly after its inauguration as a research centre. Shortly afterwards he was transferred to the Division of Veterinary Services as a laboratory assistant for Sir Arnold Theiler. In 1927 he obtained his BVSc degree and was appointed to the research staff at Onderstepoort as a lecturer in and later professor of Pathology. He obtained his DVSc degree in Pathology 2 years later (his thesis being on Skin Cancer in Angora Goats). He remained professor of Pathology until 1946 when he resigned his appointment and started practicing in Pretoria. During his lifetime he published some 30 articles and for many years was an external examiner in Pathology at the Veterinary Faculty. (Source: Past veterinarians in South Africa / PJ Posthumus, 10th edition)