Harold William Bennetts
Encyclopedia
Harold William Bennetts CBE
(18 July 1898 – 28 August 1970) was a Veterinary surgeon
known for his ground-breaking research into diseases and pathogens of livestock
, especially the toxic
effects of some native Australian plants.
Born in Carlton
, Victoria. he studied veterinary science at the University of Melbourne
, earning his Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1919, and a Masters the following year. In 1921 he began working for the Commonwealth
Department of Health as a Bacteriologist.
In 1925 Bennetts took up a position as veterinary pathologist for the Western Australia
n Department of Agriculture. While based at Avondale Agricultural Research Station
he achieved worldwide recognition for his work identifying Bacillus ovitoxicus
, and developing the enterotoxaemia vaccine
, for which he received a CBE. In conjunction with Charles Gardner
, his work on the toxic effects on livestock
of some Western Australian plants
resulted in the highly regarded book The Toxic Plants of Western Australia being published in 1956.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(18 July 1898 – 28 August 1970) was a Veterinary surgeon
Veterinary surgeon
Veterinary surgeon is a term used to describe:*The full title of a vet, who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals, in the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries**See also Veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom...
known for his ground-breaking research into diseases and pathogens of livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
, especially the toxic
Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
effects of some native Australian plants.
Born in Carlton
Carlton, Victoria
Carlton is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
, Victoria. he studied veterinary science at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, earning his Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1919, and a Masters the following year. In 1921 he began working for the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
Department of Health as a Bacteriologist.
In 1925 Bennetts took up a position as veterinary pathologist for the Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
n Department of Agriculture. While based at Avondale Agricultural Research Station
Avondale Agricultural Research Station
Avondale Agriculture Research Station or Avondale Discovery Farm is one of thirteen research farms and stations operated by Western Australia's Department of Agriculture and Food...
he achieved worldwide recognition for his work identifying Bacillus ovitoxicus
Bacillus
Bacillus is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria and a member of the division Firmicutes. Bacillus species can be obligate aerobes or facultative anaerobes, and test positive for the enzyme catalase. Ubiquitous in nature, Bacillus includes both free-living and pathogenic species...
, and developing the enterotoxaemia vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
, for which he received a CBE. In conjunction with Charles Gardner
Charles Gardner
Charles Austin Gardner was a Western Australian botanist.Born in Lancaster, England on 6 January 1896, he emigrated to Western Australia with his family in 1909....
, his work on the toxic effects on livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
of some Western Australian plants
Flora of Western Australia
The flora of Western Australia comprises 9,437 published native vascular plant species of 1,543 genera within 226 families; there are also 1,171 naturalised alien or invasive plant species more commonly known as weeds...
resulted in the highly regarded book The Toxic Plants of Western Australia being published in 1956.
Published works
- Western Australia. Dept. of Agriculture. Library. H.W. Bennetts : bibliography of published works, 1923-60. held at Battye Library