Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]Palmer's diathermy forceps. It has two pronds for grasping that retracts with a screw mechanism. Purchased by Geoff Bishop as an additional part of original laparoscopy set, also included in this accession 1999005.laparoscopy, tubal ligation, infertility investigation

This operating table belonged to the famous gynaecological surgeon Dr Victor Bonney and was given to Dr Frank Forster in 1953 by his widow Mrs Annie Bonnie, a distant relative of Forster's. Dr Victor Bonney (1872 - 1953) followed his father into medicine and trained at St Bartholomew's and the Middlesex Hospitals. Writing his obituary in 1953, FW Roques said of Bonney that he "'made three great gifts to surgery. First, he was the pioneer of myomectomy; second, with Berkeley, he extended and perfected Wertheim's operation for carcinoma of the cervix; and third, he devised a fine surgical technique emulated by so many of his pupils. To theatre sisters, labour-ward sisters and young house-surgeons he will always be remembered as the discoverer of 'Bonney's Blue' [antiseptic solution].'" Bonney's utilitarian, portable operating table has a round, worn scrubbed patch showing traces of his famous blue solution.This portable operating table was owned and used by pioneering gynaecological surgeon Sir Victor Bonney in London, U.K. c 1900. Dr Bonney employed two theatre sisters and had two sets of instruments and portable operating tables. This made it possible for Dr Bonney to 'complete three or more operations a day by rotating staff and equipment with a chauffeur driven Lanchester or Rolls Royce', delivering them from one house to the next. The donor of the operating table, the late Dr Frank Forster, was a distant relative of Sir Victor Bonney's widow, Annie Appleyard, formerly of Tasmania. When he visited her in the UK after Bonney's death, she offered the operating table to Dr Forster for the RANZCOG Museum. It was still in a canvas bag in the boot of one of Bonney's cars. Sir Victor Bonney was the pioneer of myomectomy, the surgical procedure for removing uterine fibroids. In collaboration with Berkeley, he extended and perfected Wertheim's operation for carcinoma of the cervix. Bonney was an influential teacher, developing and promoting conservatism of surgical technique (minimal intervention) that has had a lasting influence in modern surgical practice. To theatre-sisters, labour-ward sisters and young house-surgeons he will always be remembered as the discoverer of Bonney's Blue an antiseptic that was characteristically blue.Portable, laminated operating table. Plywood rectangular table with two laminated plywood extensions, a head board, and a foot board. At the foot board are insets of canvas straps to support a patient's ankles. Two detachable stirrup poles, each with a canvas strap attached, fit into two holes at the lower end of the table. The table is supported by two timber trellis cross braces with metal bars, and supported at the centre by a metal rod that allows the table to pivot up and down. Two metal arcs with a locking mechanism fix the table at the desired elevation, allowing a Trendelenburg tilt ( a 45 degree tilt, with the patient's head downwards.) The operating table is demountable for transportation and re-assembly.obstetric delivery

This photograph was taken about 1900. Herbert Schlink, on the right of the image was born in was born on 28 March 1883 at Wodonga, Victoria to German migrants Albert Joseph Schlink and Franzsiska Trudewind. He initially enrolled in Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney, but after one year he transferred to medicine and graduated in 1907. This marked the beginning of a brilliant career. He was appointed as honorary gynaecological surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred, Sydney NSW from 1922. As a director of the hospital board from 1926, Schlink as chairman (1934-62) supervised the opening of Gloucester House, King George V Memorial Hospital for Mothers and Babies, Queen Mary Nurses' Home, the neurosurgical and psychiatric blocks, the (Sir Earle) Page Chest Pavilion and the hospital chapel. As a gynaecologist, Herbert pioneered the use of cobalt ray therapy in treating pelvic cancer and instigated the systematic follow-up of cancer patients. In 1954, Herbert was created Knight Bachelor for his public services and his service to medicine. He had previously received the Silver Jubilee Medal from his Majesty King George V, and the Coronation Medals of 1937 and 1953. Outside of his medical career, Dr Schlink was an enthusiastic skier. In 1926 he made the first winter crossing from Kiandra to Kosciusko. He was a foundation member of the Kosciusko Alpine Club and was directly responsible for the building of the first chalet at Charlotte Pass. Schlink Pass near Guthega in the Snowy Mountains is also named in his honour. Charlie Ryan is the boy on the left. He was to later become the editor of the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel after the death of his father in 1912.This image is of significant as it depicts a group of local boys including a preeminent medical professional who was born in Wodonga and a newspaper editor.A framed photo of a group of boys playing with a fire cart in Wodonga.Below photograph: "PLAYING FIREMEN / Young Charlie Ryan, left, with the boys of the village./ Herbert Schlink, probably the boy on the right, was to/ become Sir Herbert Schlink, on of the nations most/ distinguished men of medicine. Circa 1900. Photograph courtesy: Wodonga Historical Society"wodonga fire fighters, sir herbert schlink, charles henry ryan

Shelf One – North End of Isolation Ward  1 x slipper enamel bedpan  1 x enamel pan with spout  1 x stainless steel bedpan  1 x stainless steel urinal  2 x ceramic urinals  1 x ceramic bowl Shelf Two – North end of Isolation Ward  1 x small enamel kidney dish  2 x slipper ceramic bedpans  1 x enamel wash-bowl & jug Shelf Three – North end of Isolation Ward  1 X dry Steriliser Shelf Four – North end of Isolation Ward  1 X steam Steriliser Shelf One – South end of Isolation Ward  1 x nurse’s dictionary  Domestic Medical Practice Book  Doctor and Specialist Book  Aids to Gynaecological Nursing Book  Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology Book  2 x thermometers  1 x stainless steel swab bowl  1 x ophthalmoscope  1 x stainless bowl & bandages  1 x scissors/ tweezers kit  1 x large operating scissors & 1 x operating tweezers  1 x camode pot  1 x sigmoidoscope  3 x plessors Shelf Two – South end of Isolation Ward  1 x ceramic jug  Kaarimba Ladies Auxiliary History of Num. Dist. Health  Nursing Certificates & Notebooks – Winifred Smith Shelf Three – South end of Isolation Ward  Nursing Certificates & Notebooks – Winifred Smith Shelf Four – South end of Isolation Ward  1 x white enamel bucket  1 x enamel bowl Glass Cabinet:  Premature Babies Book  Handbook of Paediatrics  Various health brochures  1 x enamel potty, dry liners, nappy pins  1 x infant welfare leather case  2 x breast pump  2 x dippers Medical Items placed around the room  1 x kidney dish with syringes & bandage  1 x stethoscope  1 x catheters  1 x oxygen tubing  1 x hospital bed (pre-dates 1950’s eg from local private hospital)  1 x operating table and 1 x theatre stool (original Numurkah Hospital 1950’s)  1 x heart table  1 x dental chair, mouthwash dish & stand  3 x wooden crutches  1 x early dentist chair  1 x Infant Welfare Centre sign hospital, medical equipment

This French Service medal was awarded to F.J. Browne for service in the First World War tending to the wounded soldiers evacuated from France on hospital ships. The places inscribed on the medal are all in the Communaupole (Urban Area) of Lens-Liévin in the Pas de Calais where the broad plain and low hills of Artois saw some of the most savage and bloody fighting of World War I.Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. A collection of objects found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers were transferred from the Archives to the Museum collection in January 1994. A small round gold medal (.1) with presentation case (.2). The scene on the front of the medal depicts an ancient castle & surrounds with the rising sun in the background, and is inscribed "SUNT LACRYMAE RERUM". On the reverse is a figure of a winged woman against a cross, and the inscription "AUX HEROS", above a list of inscribed place names: "DE GARENCY, VIMY, ABLAIN, AVION, SOUCHEL, LENS, LORETTE, LOOS". The outside of the presentation case is maroon leather. There is a cream velvet mount for the medal and the inside of the lid of the case is lined with cream satin. "A. MAYEUR" is inscribed on both sides of the medal. "SUNT LACRYMAE RERUM", "AUX HEROS", "DE GARENCY, VIMY, ABLAIN, AVION, SOUCHEL, LENS, LORETTE, LOOS", "A.MAYEUR"numismatics, world war i, france, browne fj

Inscribed on attached label, "...used to procure abortion. Using a Lifeboy soap solution. Filled the septic wards of the Royal Women's Hospital in the 1940s."Douche syringe consisting of two lengths of rubber tubing with a central bulb, a nozzle, and valve at each end.irrigation, abortion

Used to remove polyps or other growths, using a tightening chain to gradually lacerate the growth, minimizing haemorrhage. Devised by Charles Marie Edouard Chassaignac (1805-1879) who was a surgeon in Paris. The manufacturer of this item was possibly Geo. Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments USA. Metal ecraseur, Chassaignac's design. The straight shaft can be extended, and has a straight handle at one end and a metal loop at the other. destructive instruments

Traditional Welsh going away gift, given to Professor FJ Browne. Professor Browne was a GP in Wales at the start of his career. The cat is intended as a lucky charm.Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. Collection of objects transferred from the Archives to the Museum collection found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers.Small black cat figurine with red bow tie. Faintly blue tinged eyes and mouth. Cat is depicted in an upright sitting position. Part of left from leg missing.browne fj

This badge belonged to F.J. Browne and would have been worn during World War I. Hermes (Mercury) was the messenger of the gods and known for carrying a staff known as the Caduceus. The caduceus included two snakes topped off with a set of wings. Caduceus is from the Greek root meaning “herald’s wand”.Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. Collection of objects transferred from the Archives to the Museum collection found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers.Brass badge depicting a crown mounted on top of a caduceus (image of two snakes wrapped around a staff topped by wings). Clip attached to back of badge is inscribed 'FIRMIN LONDON'.numismatics, browne fj, world war i

This bracelet is possibly associated with FJ Browne's service with the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War I. Identification bracelets were worn during World War I and II in England.Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. Collection of objects transferred from the Archives to the Museum collection found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers.Silver identification bracelet. Bracelet is engraved "FJ BROWNE/ HEATH LODGE/ WATFORD HEATH." Reverse of bracelet is engraved "SILVER". browne fj

buff coloured manilla folder containing typed notes, purple stamp on front cover with staple marks from removed staples, handwritten annotationsnon-fictionAlfred Hospital Gynaecology Nursing lecture notes [ca. 1973-1976] - belonged to Susan Kim Hollands (2/73). Kim has been an AHNL member for many years, is now an archive volunteer. Her career was at the Alfred until 1980, during which time she completed nursing training, staffing and a renal-respiratory intensive care course. nurse lecture notes from 1970s, alfred hospital, nursing training, infectious diseases