Working under Dr Filmer, Josland, together with six veterinary officers, two chemists and two staff from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, investigated the facial eczema epidemic affecting stock in the Waikato District in 1938. The investigation embraced three fields, namely animal tissues, pastures, and soils. The work on animal tissues, such as the chemical changes in blood, bile and liver, or the presence of unusual metabolic substances, was undertaken by Josland in collaboration with Dr Filmer, and they had the resources of the chemistry section of the Department of Agriculture at their disposal.