Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Tarnier's, incomplete, traction rods missing.forceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Barnes, nickle plated metal.forceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Zeigler, with ebony insert in handles. Manufacturer "Coxeter".forceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Aveling's. Metal insert on hand grips, bronze coloured. Stamped "Mayer & Meltzer London" on inner armforceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Milne-Murray's with traction handleforceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterTraction handle, one metal rod missing, late ninteenth century, rosewood handle, turned. On label, noted "may belong to long Simpson's forceps- 1900002 Frank Forster"."forceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterIncomplete, Forceps, Ziegler, one blade only, ebony handle insert with cross-hatch pattern. Manufacturer: Young Edinburghforceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Williamson"s, all nickle plate metal, with traction bar screwed at handle tip. Manufacturer: Allan & Hanbury London. On label, identified by Bryan Hiibbardforceps, obstetric

Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterForceps, Barclay's, all nickle plate metal, On label, identified by Bryan Hiibbard. Manufacturer: Jones Melbourneforceps, obstetric

These forceps were designed by American James Bradbridge Hunter, c1885.Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster.Set of Hunter style forceps. Consists of two interlocking forcep blades, made of plated metal. The blades are curved and meet at the tip when interlocked. The blades fit around a metal pin. The forceps have a short finger grip style handle which sticks out perpendicular to the blades. There is a 'lock' consisting of a folding metal bar at the base of one blade, and a stepped metal tab at the base of the other blade, to lock the forceps in place. There is an image of a lion engraved just above the interlocking pin on one blade. The number '3' is engraved on the inner edge of each blade. forceps, obstetric

William Smellie’s straight forceps are one of the most significant pairs of forceps in the Museum collection. William Smellie (1697– 1763), designed these forceps, which were an improvement on the forceps of that time. These forceps were easier to use being shorter and lighter, particularly in the handles, with pelvic curve shaped blades. He invented a locking device for the two blades. The blades were lined with leather and greased with hog’s lard for the ease of delivery and the greater comfort of the patient, this being in the era prior to an understanding of sepsis and the need for surgical hygiene.Smellie was groundbreaking in his understanding of Childbirth and became an influential teacher of Obstetrics. He diligently studied the birthing process, particularly the descent of the baby’s head down the birth canal. His observations lead to him noting that many deaths occurred because of a lack of understanding of this process and the inappropriate handling of forceps. Smellie is generally given the credit for improving the forceps to make them easier to use and less likely to damage the baby. Smellie’s "Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery" was published In 1751 and became a widely influential teaching resource. Copies of this birth atlas are held in the Frank Forster Library, RANZCOG. Smellie's obstetric forceps. Iron forceps with traces of leather on the two blades. The blades touch at the tips when the blades are fully closed. The handles have a metal sheet coating and would also have been covered in leather originally. There is a notch at the centre to lock the blades in place. Noneobstetric delivery, william smellie

The Maternal, Infant, and Pre-school Welfare division of the Victorian Health Department published this booklet to assist expectant mothers with information regarding their confinement.Pre-natal information was important for expectant mothers especially those living in isolation eg. the farming community in the Kiewa Valley.Cream coloured booklet with 65 pages held by 2 staples. It has 10 chapters on pre-natal and 4 chapters on post natal. It is very comprehensive with a few black & white illustrations. There is an 'Obstetric Table' on page 5 "To calculate the date of confinement." It was produced by the Maternal, Infant, and Pre-School Welfare Division. prenatal, victorian health department

Neville Barnes Obstetric Forceps have a cephalic and pelvic curve and are used for delivery of babies presenting as occipitoanterior. The left blade being put on first followed by the right blade – the baby is then pulled down until the occiput is under the symphysis, then pulled around. (RACGP)Neville-Barnes forceps with traction attachment and pouch. The forceps are nickle plated, and consist of two blades and an attachable axis traction handle. Pouch is made of denim and has a full length pocket insert. The edges of the pouch are bound with a narrow satin binding and machine sewn. The pouch is fastened with a press stud.obstetric delivery

This is a rare and hazardous obstetric complication, occurring approximately once every 90000 deliveries. It usually results in a low survival rate for the twin that presents first, with a stillborn rate over 50%. This piece is believed to be from South America, and is either from Colombia or Peru.Ceramic childbirth scene with three figures. At centre, a woman lies on a table giving birth. A figure wearing a hat stands to her right, resting their hand on her upper chest in a gesture of support. On her left, a gloved man with receding hairline and a moustache is leaning over her abdomen and is extracting two babies from her womb.obstetric delivery

Neville Barnes Obstetric Forceps have a cephalic and pelvic curve and are used for delivery of babies presenting as occipitoanterior. When used, the left blade is put on first followed by the right blade – the baby is then pulled down until the occiput is under the symphysis, then pulled around. (RACGP)Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Set of metal forceps. Consists of two blades [204.1,.2] and detachable traction axis [204.3]. Inner aspect of right hand blade is inscribed ' Allen and Hanbury's - London'. '3' inscribed on axis traction handle.'Allen & Hanburys - London', '3'obstetric delivery

Sir William Gilliatt was born in 1884 in Lincolnshire. He was educated at Boston Grammar School and Wellingborough College, and began his medical career at the Middlesex Hospital in 1925. He became obstetric and gynaecological surgeon at King's College Hospital, a position he held until his retirement in 1946. Gilliatt was a foundation fellow of RCOG, U.K. and served on the Council from 1932 until his death in 1956. He was also the President of the RCOG from 1946 until 1949. Gilliatt was known to be an excellent clinical teacher and was gynaecologist to the Royal family for two decades. He wrote very little for the medical journals, but his influence on obstetric and gynaecological practice was considerable and his attention to detail was painstaking. He was killed in a motor accident on 27 November 1956.Framed black and white photograph. Photograph is a side-on portrait image of Sir WIlliam Gilliat, who is turning his head to face the camera slightly and is smiling. Photograph is signed 'William Gilliat/April 1951'. An inscription, likely to be the name of the photographer, appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph. The frame is a simple gold coloured metal frame, with a rose decoration in each corner.William Gilliat/April 1951rcog

Used by mothers during childbirth, the anaesthetic Trilene (trichloroethylene) was inhaled through a face mask [missing] attached to the rubber tubing [missing] and the vaporising chamber. The Trilene was poured into the chamber to be turned into a vapour. The machine was used in the obstetric wards at University College Hospital, London. Trilene was introduced in the 1940s. The machine was made by Cyprane Ltd.Khaki metal multi layered cylinder. Set on top of khaki metal plate with four (4) rubber feet.Stamped in red on top level of vaporiser: Cyprane Ltd •Stamped in red on serial plate: TECOTA MARK 6 / CHARGE WITH TRICHLOROETHYLENE B.P. / CYPRANE LTD. SERIAL No / KEIGHLEY / YORKS. / T1469 •Clear sticker with red printed text stuck on metal plate: PAT No 646680 / PATENTS PENDINGtrichlorethylene vaporiser, tecota mark 6

These are long obstetrical forceps following the design of Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870). They are longer and heavier than Simpson's type of short forceps and were used to deliver babies from higher up the birth canal. Simpson's long and short forceps were adapted in many later designs. (Science Museum Group)Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Metal forceps, consisting of two blades with detachable traction axis.obstetric delivery

This is a destructive instrument. Perforators were used to pierce and empty the skull in a craniotomy (which is a form of embryotomy). A craniotomy is a procedure whereby "a perforation is made in the foetal skull to reduce the volume of the foetal head which prevents delivery." (Source: Medecins Sans Frontieres, 'MSF medical guidelines - Essential obstetric and newborn care - 9.7 Embryotomy'') This instrument was included with other obstetric instruments, mostly destructive instruments, given to RANZCOG from Box Hill Hospital labour ward in February- March 1998. The maternity service at Box Hill Hospital combined with St George's Hospital in Kew to be known as Birralee Maternity Service. These instruments were collected by Julie Collette, Unit Manager, St George's Kew and given to RANZCOG Museum Curator, Susan Barnett.Simpson's perforator. Stainless steel perforator with fluted handles. Various inscriptions: "ALLEN & HANBURYS LTD/ENGLAND S.S.ut" on shaft, "12" on inner surface of hinged brace, "B.H.H.L. Ward" on inner shaft of blade."B.H.H.L. Ward"destructive instruments

Embryotomy is a destructive procedure whereby a fetus is dismembered to facilitate removal from the uterus when delivery is obstructed or impossible. It carries a risk of trauma (such as uterine rupture or vaginal/cervical injury) but aims to reduce the risks of mortality and impaired function to the patient. (Source: Medecins Sans Frontieres, 'MSF medical guidelines - Essential obstetric and newborn care - 9.7 Embryotomy'') This instrument was included with other obstetric instruments, mostly destructive instruments, given to RANZCOG from Box Hill Hospital labour ward in February- March 1998. The maternity service at Box Hill Hospital combined with St George's Hospital in Kew to be known as Birralee Maternity Service. These instruments were collected by Julie Collette, Unit Manager, St George's Kew and given to RANZCOG Museum Curator, Susan Barnett.Embriotomy scissors. Curved-on-flat scissors with take-off point.destructive instruments

Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period. Set of two stirrups. Stirrups consist of long strips of woollen fabric with leather straps at each end and six metal rings sewn into the woollen fabric with leather at intervals.obstetric delivery

Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the interwar period. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999.Seven tablets of 'Soloid' sodium chloride compound [192.3-192.9], in a glass vial [192.1]. Vial is amber glass, with label of "Burroughs Welcome & Co" "Soloid/Saline Compound", and has a cork stopper [192.2]. Vial label gies the contents of each tablet along with directions for use. hydration

Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999.Vial, glass [194.1] containing "Ethicon" catgut number one [194.2] in sterile solution. Clear glass vial, moulded and sealed at both ends.obstetric delivery

This print of Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) was given to the College by Robyn Adams, the daughter of the late obstetrician Gordan Findlay. The portrait was gifted to Dr Findlay when he stated his obstetrical practice in Wellington in 1945. The portrait was then passed to Robyn’s late husband, dermatologist Dr John Adams FRACP FACD, and hung on the wall of his dermatology practice in Wellington until 2014. Sir James Young Simpson was a significant figure in the field of obstetrics. Admitted to the University of Edinburgh at the age of fourteen, he was responsible for introducing the use of chloroform for safe analgesia in childbirth, as well as for the development of an ‘air extractor’ (the forerunner to the modern vacuum extractor) and the creation of obstetric forceps with both long and short handles. Significantly, Simpson’s long handled forceps also became the prototype for many subsequent British designs.Charcoal print in an oval shaped wooden frame. Print features a head and shoulders portrait image of a man, pictured slightly side on with his eyes looking to the left of the viewer. The main is wearing a coat, waistcoat, and a shirt buttoned up to the collar, and has dark coloured hair reaching to his shoulders.anaesthesia

This piece may originally have been Indian in origin. It was purchased by the donor at the Oxford Street Market in Paddington, Sydney.Small ceramic figurine of a woman giving birth, attended by a doctor. Scene depicts a woman in a white gown lying on her back an obstetric table, with her knees up and feet flat on the table. A doctor dressed in white is sitting on a chair at the end of the table, between the patients legs, with arms raised ready to receive a baby. Both figures in the scene have brown skin and black hair. A word is engraved on the underside of the base of the figurine, which may be the name of the artist, but it is illegible.obstetric delivery

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.Square medal with ribbon. Medal is decorated with blue, green, and red enamel and has silver inserts. Medal design is divided vertically and horizontally by silver lines and carries the text, "B.M.A/DUBLIN/1933". There are three symbols on the upper section of the front of the medal. Top of medal is attached to a green grosgrain ribbon, which in turn is attached to a silver bar inscribed with the words "VICE-PRESIDENT/OBSTETRICS". Small stamp printed on back of medal.numismatics, british medical association

James Hobson Aveling (1828-1898) invented this type of forceps. They are made from steel with an ebony handle. Obstetrical forceps gripped a baby’s head to help delivery during difficult childbirths. Aveling thought a curved handle rather than a straight one would improve grip and make the forceps easier to insert into the body. However, his idea did not work well and the forceps were not widely used. Aveling also promoted the use of chloroform during childbirth.Set of Aveling style forceps, consisting of two plated metal blades with ebony handles. Stamped 'MAYER & MELTZER/LONDON & MELBOURNE' inside the handle of one blade. The number '11' is stamped on both blades at the point where the two blades connect.MAYER & MELTZER/LONDON & MELBOURNE'forceps, obstetrics

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 collections in January 1994.A round metal badge with a green enamelled rim. There is a shield in the centre which is divided into three. In the left hand comer there is a flag, in the right hand comer the medical insignia, and at the bottom of the shield there is a sailing ship. The year 1938 is either side of a central white enamelled plug with the number "106" on it. Attached to the badge is a green grosgrain ribbon, to which is attached an oblong bar with a pin at the back. Inscriptions Around the edge of the badge: "THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PLYMOUTH"; inscribed on the back of the badge: "BRUFORD, EASTBOURNE AND EXETER"; front lower right hand side ofbadge:"M & W"; front of bar: "PRESIDENT/ GYNAECOLOGY and OBSTETRICS"numismatics, browne fj, rcog

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 1994.Round copper coloured badge attached by two metal links to a rectangular bar. The bar is designed to hold a small name plate. The badge features a map of Australia as the central design overlaid with a representation of the Staff of Asclepius (a serpent entwined around a staff). Front of badge carries the words, "AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL CONGRESS/ (B.M.A.) 9TH SESSION/ SYDNEY 1955".browne fj, australian medical congress, numismatics

Prior to the 1900s, complicated births, particularly where there was a disproportion between the size of the woman’s pelvis and the foetus’ head, often meant the death of the baby and the mother. Instruments for removing a dead or ailing foetus from within the mother were used to attempt to save the mother’s life. The cranioclast, first invented by Dr. James Simpson in the mid-19th century and later redesigned by others, was used for fetal destruction and removal. Fundamentally a strong pair of forceps, the cranioclast was used to crush the skull, decreasing its diameter. In some cases, this would allow normal uterine contractions to expel the foetus; in others, the physicians would use an obstetrical hook to pull the body out of the mother. Doctors disagreed as to the pelvic diameter that would necessitate this drastic intervention, but generally found that 3 to 3.5 inches was the smallest size through which a living infant could pass. Equally of debate was the pelvic size through which the dead fetus could be extracted. When vaginal extraction was deemed unadvisable, Caesarian section would be performed. As caesarean section became safer and more common with the advent of anaesthetics and antiseptic techniques, the use of cranioclasts and obstetrical hooks diminished. (Museum of Health Care, Kingston) Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Hinged metal tool with bakelite handles at one end and serrated teeth at other end. The instrument is in two sections. The right or upper blade has a black bakelite handle. There are two screws on the inside of the handle, 5.5cm apart. In the centre of the blade is a screw notch in the shape of a small horseshoe. On the inner side of the blade is a depression extending most of the length. The left, or lower, blade also has a black bakelite handle. There are two screws on the inside of the handle approximately 6cm apart. Mobile metal clasps in the shape of an 'S' , with three serrations, is attached to the distal end of the handle, which enables the blades to be opened or closed. destructive instruments