Before factory production became commonplace in medicine, dispensing was considered an art and pill and suppository machines such as these were a vital component of any chemist’s collection. This mould dates back to the days when the local chemist or apothecary bought, sold, and manufactured all his own drugs and medicines to everybody who lived within the local community. In Victorian times, there was no such thing as off-the-shelf medicine. Every tablet, pill, suppository, ointment, potion, lotion, tincture and syrup to treat anything from a sore throat to fever, headaches or constipation, was made laboriously by hand, by the chemist. Some medicines are formulated to be used in the body cavities: the suppository (for the rectum), the pessary (for the vagina) and the bougie (for the urethra or nose). History Suppositories, pessaries and bougies have been prescribed for the last 2000 years but their popularity as a medicinal form increased from around 1840 - suppositories for constipation, haemorrhoids and later as an alternative method of drug administration, pessaries for vaginal infections and bougies for infections of the urethra, prostate, bladder or nose. Manufacture The basic method of manufacture was the same for each preparation, the shape differed. Suppositories were "bullet" or "torpedo" shaped, pessaries "bullet" shaped but larger and bougieslong and thin, tapering slightly. A base was required that would melt at body temperature. Various oils and fats have been utilised but, until the advent of modern manufactured waxes, the substances of choice were theobroma oil (cocoa butter) and a glycerin-gelatin mixture. The base was heated in a spouted pan over a water-bath until just melted. The medicament was rubbed into a little of the base (usually on a tile using a spatula) and then stirred into the rest. The melted mass was then poured into the relevant mould. Moulds were normally in two parts, made from stainless steel or brass (silver or electroplated to give a smooth surface). To facilitate removal the moulds were treated with a lubricant such as oil or soap solution. To overcome the difficulty of pouring into the long, thin bougie mould, it was usual to make a larger quantity of base, to partially unscrew the mould, fill with base and then screw the two halves of the mould together thus forcing out the excess. When cool, any excess base was scraped from the top of the mould, the mould opened and the preparations removed, packed and labelled with the doctor's instructions. https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/MuseumLearningResources/05%20Suppositories%20Pessaries%20and%20Bougies.pdf?ver=2020-02-06-154131-397The collection of medical instruments and other equipment in the Port Medical Office is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century.Proctological mould for making suppositories.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, suppositories, medicine, health

Before factory production became commonplace in medicine, dispensing was considered an art and pill and suppository machines such as these were a vital component of any chemist’s collection. This mould dates back to the days when the local chemist or apothecary bought, sold, and manufactured all his own drugs and medicines to everybody who lived within the local community. In Victorian times, there was no such thing as off-the-shelf medicine. Every tablet, pill, suppository, ointment, potion, lotion, tincture and syrup to treat anything from a sore throat to fever, headaches or constipation, was made laboriously by hand, by the chemist. Some medicines are formulated to be used in the body cavities: the suppository (for the rectum), the pessary (for the vagina) and the bougie (for the urethra or nose). History Suppositories, pessaries and bougies have been prescribed for the last 2000 years but their popularity as a medicinal form increased from around 1840 - suppositories for constipation, haemorrhoids and later as an alternative method of drug administration, pessaries for vaginal infections and bougies for infections of the urethra, prostate, bladder or nose. Manufacture The basic method of manufacture was the same for each preparation, the shape differed. Suppositories were "bullet" or "torpedo" shaped, pessaries "bullet" shaped but larger and bougieslong and thin, tapering slightly. A base was required that would melt at body temperature. Various oils and fats have been utilised but, until the advent of modern manufactured waxes, the substances of choice were theobroma oil (cocoa butter) and a glycerin-gelatin mixture. The base was heated in a spouted pan over a water-bath until just melted. The medicament was rubbed into a little of the base (usually on a tile using a spatula) and then stirred into the rest. The melted mass was then poured into the relevant mould. Moulds were normally in two parts, made from stainless steel or brass (silver or electroplated to give a smooth surface). To facilitate removal the moulds were treated with a lubricant such as oil or soap solution. To overcome the difficulty of pouring into the long, thin bougie mould, it was usual to make a larger quantity of base, to partially unscrew the mould, fill with base and then screw the two halves of the mould together thus forcing out the excess. When cool, any excess base was scraped from the top of the mould, the mould opened and the preparations removed, packed and labelled with the doctor's instructions. https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/MuseumLearningResources/05%20Suppositories%20Pessaries%20and%20Bougies.pdf?ver=2020-02-06-154131-397The collection of medical instruments and other equipment in the Port Medical Office is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century.Proctological mould for making suppositories.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, suppositories, medicine, health

Silicon Mould of a decorative design. Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

The wooden mould was originally made in the early 1980s by one of the crew in his spare time in East Gippsland (Bairnsdale maybe). It was passed it on to Ian Long and then Barrie Marsden at Altona. It was not made for any particular purpose other than just a copy of the iconic FCV logo. It sat in the office at Altona for a little while until one day Barry thought it could be used to cast a solid replica. The wooden mould was taken to a foundry in North Melbourne and three bronze replicas were cast and polished. One was used when the Chief Fire Officer, Bary Johnson, was retiring More were cast in brass and the plaques became a standard presentation item for retiring FCV personnel. The wooden mould eventually cracked and can no longer be used. Hand madeWooden mould and presentation plaqueforests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

Round rubber mould depicting a prancing stallion. This mould is carved into the reverse side of S. 50. Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, stallion, horse

Oval rubber mould for decorative pendantNonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, pendant

Circular rubber mould depicting Pegasus.Labelled M5matcham skipper, mould, jewellery, pegasus

Round plaster mould depicting Pegasus.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, pegasus

Round rubber mould of a decorative design Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative pattern

Rectangular silicon mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Rectangular rubber mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Oval silicon mould of a decorative designNonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Oval plaster mould of a decorative designNonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Rectangular plaster mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Plaster mould of a square decorative design. Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Silicon Mould depicting a lion's head.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, lion

Silicon mould of a square decorative design. Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Round rubber mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Round silicon mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, decorative design

Oval plaster mould depicting flowers.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, flowers

Round plaster mould depicting a bird. Nonematcham skipper, mould, plaster, bird

Oval silicon mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, silicon, decorative design

Partial rubber mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, rubber, decorative design

Partial rubber mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, rubber, decorative design

Rectangular rubber mould of a decorative design. Nonematcham skipper, mould, rubber, decorative design

Oval silicon mould of a decorative design.Nonematcham skipper, mould, silicon, decorative design

Rectangular rubber mould of a decorative design. Nonematcham skipper, mould, rubber, decorative design

This type of mould was commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for baking steamed puddings or cakes. The central hole allows for even heat distribution. Such moulds were popular in European and Australian kitchens for making traditional desserts like steamed Christmas pudding or gelatine-based dishes. The wear and patina suggest it was well-used, likely in a domestic setting.The item is a two-piece metal baking mould, possibly a vintage pudding or cake mould. The top half is domed with vertical ridges and a central hole, resembling a Bundt or pudding mould. The bottom half is a flat circular base with slightly raised edges. The mould has small loops on the sides, likely for securing the two halves together. The surface shows signs of aging, including discoloration and wear.pudding, steamer, cooking, baking, kitchen, food, household item

Round rubber mould depicting a prancing stallion.Inscribed in white paint on reverse 'MS', 'MS ST.', '120 M' and 'M'matcham skipper, mould, jewellery, horse

Rectangular silicon mould depicting a woman's face.Nonematcham skipper, mould, jewellery, female