Uterine and anal pessaries were in use in the early 1900s. Both size and shape of the pessary varied considerably. Pessaries were often round ('ring' pessaries) or irregular shape, depending on the maker. The name of the pessarty was usually that of the inventor.Pessary. Intra-uterine contraceptive device, consisting of red rubber outer covering over wire or vulcanite in an irregular shape. Most likely hand made. Inscribed "PATENTED" at .intrauterine device

This type of cup was designed for use by an adult and was in common usage from the early 1900s to the 1930s. Feeding cups were used both in the home and in hospitals, and were also often made of white enamel. Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them the museum collection in 1993. Feeding cup made out of white china, now discoloured. The cup has a curved spout (similar to a teapot spout) with a handle. There are four small holes inserted inside the cup diagonally at the proximate end of the spout. midwifery

Glass wound irrigating syringes were in general use from approximately 1915 to the beginning of the 1940s.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993. Glass wound syringe, with wood cap at distal end and cork bung inside a glass barrel with tapered end. irrigation, midwifery

Cupping glasses were in use from the early 1700s onwards. Their purpose was to draw the nipple out from the areola in preparation for breast feeding. They were also used for expressing small quantities of breast milk. Other possible uses include drawing fluid from other parts of the body for conditions such as oedema of the limbs or abdomen.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993. Cupping glass, consisting of a glass tube connection and red rubber hand pump.midwifery, infant feeding

The Furgusson stethoscope was in use from 1866. It is made all in one piece and has no attachments.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Fetal stethoscope consisting of an ebony tube with flanges at each end. The large flange would be placed onto the abdomen and the small flange would be placed to the ear to hear the fetal heart beat.diagnostic instruments, midwifery

This is a connection for a bone rectum pipe for a manual Indian rubber enema syringe.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Small, elongated connection with openings at both ends. The connection narrows at the distal end (patient's end), and has a flange at proximal end, where the connection attaches to a rubber bulb.midwifery

The enema box was used by midwife Mary Howlett in the 1880s on her district rounds. It was used to hold Ingram's Patent No. 1474 Seamless Enema Syringe, but the syringe is missing.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Oval shaped black leather case with gold clip. Base (.1) and lid (.2) have become separated. Instructions for use, and how to clean the instrument, are pasted inside the lid and base of the box.midwifery, irrigation

Similar in style to a 'Record' syringe adapter.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass regulator from a rectal saline apparatus. Regulator consists of a glass bulb with a glass flange at the base, which connects to a glass pipe. intravenous device, midwifery

This type of test tube would have been used to collect blood or other bodily fluids. IT may also have been used to boil urine to identify the presence of urinary abnormalities such as sugar albumen acetone or bile.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass test tube with a thin glass lip in original cylinder cardboard case. Case is in two section, lid and body - lid is lined with white cardboard.diagnostic testing, midwifery

Bath thermometers were used in both hospital and home nursing during the 1800s.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Container for bath thermometer, consisting of base and lid. Cylindrical box made of tin with copper lining. Bath thermometer is missing.diagnostic instruments, midwifery

This type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.] The pessary was originally regarded as an instrument and made from cork, ivory, hard rubber or gum-elastic. In later times, they were made from black vulcanite, flexible tin, soft copper wire covered with Indian rubber, and celluloid. The form of the pessary was and still is variable -either round, oval, or moulded in some cases combining three or four curves depending on the size of the pessary. In ancient times, medicated pessaries were made from emollient. astringent and aperient. Several of these are still used, but in more modem times are called vaginal suppositories. Anal suppositories are still used to suppress the pain of haemorrhoids. Moulded black vulcanite pessary. Pessary is irregular in shape, and medium size. "I.T.A.Y." inscribed on upper curve.pessary, intrauterine device

This type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.] The pessary was originally regarded as an instrument and made from cork, ivory, hard rubber or gum-elastic. In later times, they were made from black vulcanite, flexible tin, soft copper wire covered with Indian rubber, and celluloid. The form of the pessary was and still is variable -either round, oval, or moulded in some cases combining three or four curves depending on the size of the pessary. In ancient times, medicated pessaries were made from emollient. astringent and aperient. Several of these are still used, but in more modem times are called vaginal suppositories. Anal suppositories are still used to suppress the pain of haemorrhoids.Moulded black vulcanite pessary. Pessary is irregular in shape, and large size.pessary, intrauterine device

This type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.] The pessary was originally regarded as an instrument and made from cork, ivory, hard rubber or gum-elastic. In later times, they were made from black vulcanite, flexible tin, soft copper wire covered with Indian rubber, and celluloid. The form of the pessary was and still is variable -either round, oval, or moulded in some cases combining three or four curves depending on the size of the pessary. In ancient times, medicated pessaries were made from emollient. astringent and aperient. Several of these are still used, but in more modem times are called vaginal suppositories. Anal suppositories are still used to suppress the pain of haemorrhoids.Moulded black vulcanite pessary. Pessary is irregular in shape.intrauterine device

The pessary was originally regarded as an instrument and made from cork, ivory, hard rubber or gum-elastic. In later times, they were made from black vulcanite, flexible tin, soft copper wire covered with Indian rubber, and celluloid. The form of the pessary was and still is variable -either round, oval, or moulded in some cases combining three or four curves depending on the size of the pessary. In ancient times, medicated pessaries were made from emollient. astringent and aperient. Several of these are still used, but in more modem times are called vaginal suppositories. Anal suppositories are still used to suppress the pain of haemorrhoids.Moulded black vulcanite pessary. Pessary is irregular in shape. Size small.pessary, intrauterine device

The pessary was originally regarded as an instrument and made from cork, ivory, hard rubber or gum-elastic. In later times, they were made from black vulcanite, flexible tin, soft copper wire covered with Indian rubber, and celluloid. The form of the pessary was and still is variable -either round, oval, or moulded in some cases combining three or four curves depending on the size of the pessary. In ancient times, medicated pessaries were made from emollient. astringent and aperient. Several of these are still used, but in more modem times are called vaginal suppositories. Anal suppositories are still used to suppress the pain of haemorrhoids.Moulded black vulcanite pessary. Pessary is irregular in shape, and in the "eyeglass" stem style.pessary, intrauterine device

This appliance can used in two different ways: externally to spray antiseptic mist on to the skin or internally on the back of the throat. Insufflator is the clinical term for spraying. This was used by a midwife in the care of mother and newborn babies. (Becton Dickson)Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.White metal applicator, probably made from nickel plate. Consists of three sections - application cup (.1), watch spring attached to a piston and flange (.2), and a section of metal connection (.3). Applicator was originally attached to a glass tube mounted on black vulcanite by metal connections of various sizes. Inscribed 'BECTON DICKSON & CO/PAT. DEC. 06", "RUTHERFORD N.J."midwifery, infant care

Used to either irrigate the eye, instill medicated drops or tasks such as wound irrigation or the evacuation of fluid under the skin. Cannulas (or eye droppers as they are commonly called) were used both in homes and hospitals during the late 1880s and the early 1900s and were commonly available at chemists. The long tapered end gave the operator control over the rate of flow of the fluid in the bulb.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Canula (or eye dropper) made of glass. Finely tapered at one end, with an open ended bulb at the other end.

The object has been identified as a vaginal (douche) irrigator. The glass tube is similar in appearance, however, to one of the four types of Brewer's glass cannula used in direct blood transfusion. (Reference Down Bros, page 958A)Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass tube, which functions as a vaginal irrigator. There is a curve in the tube, and it gets wider at proximal (far) end. The distal (near) end is round and blunt for attachment to rubber tubing.irrigation, midwifery

This nozzle could be attached to a Higginson's syringe for either rectal administration of fluid or to irrigate the vagina. The nozzle could also possibly be inserted into a trocar or canula.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Irrigator nozzle for vaginal or rectal use. Nozzle has a small flange at the distal end with four small bevel lines. midwifery

Part of a collection of unknown provenance donated by Frank ForsterSurgeon's operating apron [oiled silk]

Tooth elevators and extractors were first used in Greece in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many of these instruments were named after birds (eg. the Pelican) or objects which they resembled (eg. screws, keys, toothkey hooks). In France, the instrument is also referred to as a "clef anglais". (Bennion, Elizabeth. 'Antique Medical Instruments', 1979, p. 204-205.)Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Dental instrument consisting of a metal shaft with small hook attachment and bone or ivory handle. midwifery, dentistry

These are parts of a vaginal douch apparatus set. The apparatus appears to be a T More-Madden model, as used at the Rotunda Hospital, Ireland.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Black vulcanite bridge attachment (.1) and irrigator (.2). The bridge would attach to the rubber tubing of the set and a lead sinker, The bridge would attach to a stopcock at the proximal end of the set.midwifery

The vaginal syringe, also known as a female syringe, was introduced in the early 1900s and was in use until the late 1940s when it was replaced by the glass douche nozzle. (Thackray, 'Midwifery & Gynaecological Instruments, (M)463, p. 264.)Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993. Vaginal syringe with glass barrel and plunger and a cork bung. Fluid capacity of syringe 60-90 mls. Cotton thread is woven tightly around the end of the plunger. There are five holes in the end of the glass barrel.midwifery

Thomas’ Retroflexion Pessary is narrower in proportion to its length, while the greater bow is enlarged to a bulb-like form. It enjoyed great popularity and as such was manufactured in a great variety of sizes. Comprised of hard rubber because of its lightness and the high polish that may be given it. The shape can be adjusted by covering the device in petrolatum and heating it with a spirit lamp or immersing it in boiling water. Manufactured in three sizes, and could be combined with a cup and stem external support. See Allen & Hanburys Gynaecological instruments catalogue, page 707.Two moulded black pessaries, Thomas retroflexion type. Made of black vulcanite. Narrower at one end.pessary, intrauterine device

Uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early 1900s onwards. The size and shape of the pessary varied greatly, and the variation of the original Hodges pessary is evident in many catalogues over a period of sixty years. Celluloid appliances were made in many different colours (ie. blue, pink, white, yellow). The use of celluloid gradually decreased during the late 1960s.Hodges -style intrauterine pessary, made of black vulcanite.intrauterine device

Both uterine and anal pessaries were in use from the early part of the 1900s. This particular type of pessary was in general use from the 1960s to the mid 1970s.Hodges-style intrauterine pessary with three cross bars.intrauterine device

This type of connection could be attached to a hypodermic syringe for blood or fluid collection. This connection could also be used as an attachment to 'cupping' instruments to induce artificial hyperaemia to assist in the draining of abcesses and carbuncles.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass connection, 2cm in length, with central flange. Proximal (near) end has a rounded ridge for attaching to a syringe. Distal (far) end in plain, for attaching to rubber tubing.midwifery

[8] l., 405 p., with woodcuts and illustrations. Vellum covering.non-fictionhuman dissection, early works to 1800

This pessary was often used for a condition called retroflexion of the uterus. Similar in style to Chamber's stem pessary.Wishbone style pessary, consisting of two white metal arms attached to a ring. The arms are slightly curved, like tweezers, and end in small, spoon-like prongs. intrauterine device, pessary