The advent of anaesthesia posed immediate problems for the oral surgeons and dentists who were used to operating on awake patients with intact airway reflexes. Early anaesthetics were very light and often created an uncooperative patient. Dentists were quick to complain they had trouble opening the mouth quickly enough and dental props soon made an appearance. Gags and tongue depressors proliferated, all initially devised to improve surgical and anaesthetic access, not to protect the airway. Other instruments for opening the jaws included the somewhat fearsome devices known as mouth openers. Heister's mouth opener was incorporated in anaesthetic practice but was not designed for this purpose. Lorenz Heister (1983 - 1758) used his device for mouth inspection and for operations on the palate, tonsils and teeth in the pre-anaesthesia era. He was not impressed with the way it was used by others in his life time and believed that it overstretched the jaw when used inappropriately. Despite its apparent brutality, the Heister mouth gag was still advertised for sale in 1983 and its useful mechanism has been incorporated into modern surgical retractors. This Heister heavy patterned mouth opener was acquired from an Italian Army medical unit at Tobruk in 1941 and donated to the museum in 1946.Scissor-like metal device with a screw mechanism at the top which allows for the open or closed position to be locked.heister, lorenz, mouth opener, gag, heavy patterned

The Bird ventilator Mark 7 is driven by medical compressed air or oxygen. It is not suited for anaesthesia unless using a special anaesthesia assistor controller attachment, which is essentially a “bag in a bottle” device.Apparatus attached to four castor stand with attached white wall connecting tubing.anaesthesia attachment, bag in a bottle

This device was designed by W E Collison for self administration of oxygen therapy, particularly in the home. By his own description "It presents none of the tiresome and irksome features associated with medical apparatus and is readily understood by patients." Registration number: 772839 and 785517 Patent number: 415437Metal tubing designed to attach to an oxygen cylinder which leads to a number of gauges and continues on to a metal head which holds two glass bulbs. Glass bulb on left is amber in colour and the glass bulb on the right is clear.Both bulbs have residue on the inside. Between the bulbs is a connecter that leads to red rubber tubing that is fluted toward the end.collison, oxygen therapy, inhaler

Mechanical resuscitation devices, such as the Pulmotor and Lungmotor, were popular in the early part of the twentieth century. Their use waned in the 1920s as significant bodies like the British Medical Research Council and American Red Cross refused to endorse them. The most popular of the resuscitators to emerge in the 1930s was the E&J (Ericson and Johnson) resuscitator. The device was soon widely available, vigorously promoted with support from many medical practitioners. They were soon to be found in hospitals, emergency services like the ambulance and fire brigade, and voluntary life-saving organisations. In Australia, Norman James, director of anaesthesia at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, developed an interest in equipment for ambulances and the resuscitation of drowning victims. Little in the way of practical, portable equipment was available to either the ambulances or the voluntary life-saving organisations, such as Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA); American resuscitators, like the E&J, were expensive and bulky to import. James designed a simple portable resuscitation device for local use after being approached by Jack Conabere, secretary of the Elwood Life Saving Club (ELSC). The resulting Royal Melbourne Hospital resuscitator, or the R.M. resuscitator as it was marketed, was a simpler, manual version of those available overseas. It was gas driven with a plunger, marked “Press”, and a safety valve. The small working unit attached directly to the facemask. Once the patient was positioned facedown and the airway cleared of debris, the mask was placed firmly over the face. The plunger allowed gas to flow and lung inflation; releasing the plunger allowed expiration. This simple resuscitator was marketed by Commonwealth Industrial Gases (CIG) and became very popular in Australia with volunteer and professional rescue organisations. It represents one of the many innovations in resuscitation equipment that resulted from cooperation between volunteer life savers and medical practitioners. Norman James worked closely with Jack Conabere and the Government Pathologist to develop the equipment. ELSC was the first life saving club to use the resuscitator on the beach. While conducting an early training exercise on 23 December 1951, they used it to successfully resuscitate a man who had drowned after capsizing his home made yacht. The R.M. resuscitator was also used in more inventive ways. At Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne, a group of physiotherapists and doctors did some innovative work with polio patients, teaching them glossopharyngeal (or “frog”) breathing, as a means of becoming less dependent on ventilators. In 1981, the Australian Standards Association stated that the RM head failed to meet its revised standards and it was withdrawn from the market. Red leather suitcase with black leather trim with metal studs. There are clip locks for locking the suitcase in the closed position. The suitcase contains equipment for oxygen resuscitation. There is a space allocated for two oxygen cylinders, however there are no cylinders present.Embossed into metal plaque: The C.I.G. / Oxy-viva / PORTABLE UNIVERSAL OXYGEN RESUSCITATORresuscitation, portable, surf life saving australia, royal melbourne hospital, rm resuscitator

suction regulating deviceOf significance to AHNL as similar to equipment used by nursesLarge glass test tube, with rubber stopper with two holes in top. Through one hole is inserted a long hollow glass tube, through the other hole is inserted a plastic y connector. On one arm of y connector is a short length of orange rubber tubbing, to the other end of this tubing is another larger y connection, with another short length of orange rubber tubing, with a metal clamp attached to bottom. The test-tube is attached to a varnished wooden board by two metal brackets. At the base of the test tube is a small wooden shelf for protection. On this backboard is a marked gradient of 60 cms. Two instruction diagrams are attached. Old catalogue numbermedical equipment, surgical drainage, suction regulator, thoracic surgery

This photo of rheumatologist and founder of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria (RAAV), Dr Leslie Koadlow AO (1920-2006), was taken in the early days of the Association's existence. In the photo, Dr Koadlow is depicted lying on his side in his office, amongst some paperwork spread out on the carpeted floor. The photograph appears on page 3 of the Vol 9, July 1978 issue of the RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. It is captioned: "The Medical Doctor in his "office" - 5th May, 1978. Photo - Courtesy Lincoln Institute." The photo accompanies an article titled, "Quaterly report of honorary medical director and president". In the article, Dr Koadlow points out that he has been working under difficult conditions, in an office that has yet to be furnished.B&W photo of a man, wearing a shirt, tie, and trousers, is lying on his side across a carpeted floor. He is propped up on one elbow, and is holding a small recording device or dictaphone in one hand. In his other hand, he is holding some papers. On the floor in front of him are several piles of paperwork, a folder, a bunch of keys, a box of matches and a pen. Behind him, there is a mug on the floor and an office/desk chair on castors.[Handwritten in pencil, across the top left of the photo] (I) March 1978 [Handwritten in blue pencil, middle left of photo] Page 3 [Handwritten in dark blue ink, diagonally across middle right of photo, & underlined in blue pencil] The Medical Director in his office [Handwritten in dark blue ink directly below] March 5th 1978. [Below that, handwritten in dark blue ink, diagonally across at a slightly different angle and in different handwriting] Courtesy of Lincoln Institute 10/5/78dr leslie koadlow, rheumatologist, founders, co-founders, rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, royal talbot rehabilitation hospital, action house, action centre, news review, lincoln institute, lincoln institute of health sciences, update, 1978

The sphygmomanometer is an early diagnostic instrument used to measure blood pressure. Since the discovery of blood circulation in 1628, the search for accurate, convenient, simple, and non-invasive tools has led to evolving measuring devices and cuffs. Until the twentieth century, few doctors tolerated the inconvenience of blood pressure measurers and relegated the exiting tools to laboratory research. The mercury and later aneroid sphygmomanometers provided the accuracy and portability required for clinical use.The sphygmomanometer is an early diagnostic instrument used to measure blood pressure. Since the discovery of blood circulation in 1628, the search for accurate, convenient, simple, and non-invasive tools has led to evolving measuring devices and cuffs. Until the twentieth century, few doctors tolerated the inconvenience of blood pressure measurers and relegated the exiting tools to laboratory research. The mercury and later aneroid sphygmomanometers provided the accuracy and portability required for clinical use. In common daily use by nurses for clinical assessment of patients' blood pressure.metallic box and contents -The sphygmomanometer is enclosed in the beige metal container. There is a click opening button on the exterior inferior end. The lid lifts via an internal hinge on the superior end to reveal a glass cartridge tube calibrated to 300 millimetres of mercury. The case and meter were manufactured in Germany (according to original museum catalogue worksheet) and identified as the “Mercurius Miniatur Modell.” The dark green rubber bulb and of tubing are in good condition. The black cotton fabric cuff shows signs of wear and is frayed at the bladder insertion opening. According to the company insignia on the bladder, it was manufactured by ACCOSON in England. superior lid - silver metal plaque in centre, engraved P.T.S., right corner of lid - white sticky label - black ink 176-01, manufacturers stamp inside lid - SPHYGMOMANOMETER/Mercurius/MINIATUR MODELL/Made in Germany, serial number 342308, on base of box, white paint - 176-01sphygmomanometer, medical instrument, blood pressure, alfred hospital nurses league, student nurse training alfred hospital

Item from Clunes Hospital which closed in 1992-3, donated by Sister Edith Richards. Part of Clunes Hospital collection.Box containing containing 5 items - metal stoma ring, blue elastic waist belt to secure ring, black rubber inflation device & 2 rubber collection bags with inflation tubing & metal connection 14 oz capacity.Colostomy Appliance/Davol/ Rubber company/ no 1376/14 oz capacitymedical, appliance

Patient controlled analgesia, or PCA, was developed in the 1960s. This mode of opioid administration allows patients to directly respond to their individual levels of pain. It is estimated there are now somewhere between six and 15 million uses annually.Two parallel sections enclosed in cream coloured metal casing and joined in the centre via a brown metal section that also forms the base and stand. The left side has a dark brown perspex cover with a small brushed metal latch and handle. The right has a grey metal panel with dial, knobs and a rolled paper dispenser. A clear plastic intravenous bag is attached to the device by a clear plastic tube.There is also a black plastic coated wire attached to a handle with a red button on top. This is used for the patient to administer the analgesia. analgesia, intravenous, flinders medical centre, janssen scientific instruments, patient controlled

In 1896 Robert James Probyn-Williams was appointed first honorary anaesthetist to the London Hospital and joined a select band of fulltime anaesthetists (26) in Great Britain. The Probyn Williams inhaler was a further modification of the Clover inhaler with narrow airways and rebreathing.Ovoid shaped metal ether inhaler device with a dark brown leather fask mask attached.Moulded into inhaler: MAYER & MELTZER / LONDONanaesthetic, anaesthesiology, medical history, ether, inhaler, probyn williams

Experimentation with electricity for medical purposes has its origins in the late 18th Century. Throughout the 19th Century it became more common, including as a proposed treatment for 'nervous' disorders. This device is a small, portable, 'at-home' device.Device for administering electric stimulation to patients. Consists of a wooden box containing a hand driven generator, with terminals for the attachment of electrodes that may be held by the patient or placed against the patient's skin. The directions for use include information about wetting the sponges and the patient's hands before cranking the machine to produce a small electric shock. electricity, medicine

Taking castings from the larynx of cadaver's, Archie Brain studied the anatomy and physiology of the upper airway in minute detail. He devised the Laryngeal Airway Marsk (LMA) as an alternative to endotracheal intubation. Since first gaining a patent in 1982, he produced over 1000 prototypes over the next 30 years in a constant effort to improve the device and patient safety. The LMA is a recent innovation and provides an alternative to endotracheal intubation and has made a significant contribution to safe airway management. Ovoid shaped black rubber layrngeal airway with orange access point stopper. Translucent rubber tube is glued into the airway and is cutaway within the internal space of the airway. The item is a prototype and the materials used to construct it are gathered from different medical items. The following text is present on the rubber tubing: 'EX 9.5 ORAL 12.9 USE ONCE Z79-IT 24 26 29'.anaesthesia, dr archie brain, laryngeal, mask, airway, medical advances, rubber, prototype, endotracheal

Dr. Allen De Vilbiss (1841-1917) of Toledo, Ohio, developed his first atomiser around 1887. This device was designed to allow for dissolving cocaine, as a local anaesthetic agent, in oil, and spraying into the nose and throat. In the early to mid 20th Century, The DeVilbiss Company began making perfume atomisers instead of medical ones. Red, heavy cardboard box with manufacturer's label at one end, containing a glass bottle with metal spray attachment, and a khaki rubber bulb for pumping liquid through the atomiser.Stamped into top of metal atomiser: DE VILBISS TOLEDO USAatomiser, local anaesthetic

Undated catalogue outlining anaesthetic apparatus designed and supplied by MIE (Medical and Industrial Equipment), London.Blue cardboard covered book with low sheen white pages. Bound using staples through the spine and star pins.catalogue, anaesthetic, anaesthetic apparatus, anaesthetic device, anaesthetic machine, anaesthetic equipment, anaesthesia, surgical equipment, surgery