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

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Metal scissors used to clamp the stomach during medical procedures. Near finger ends steel between with 4 "teeth" for firm and permanent hold. Lond grip section with longitudinal serating . Screw at pivotmedical, hospital, equipment, clamp, scissors, tawonga, mt beauty, nurse, operations, doctors, stomach

This Anaesthetic Mask 'Schimmelbusch' mask was used to deliver chloroform or ether as an anaesthetic. When this mask was in use most doctors would have delivered the anaesthetic themselves. During the 1940s and 1950s, some nurses may have played an active role in the delivery of anaesthetics, particularly in remote areas and during wartime or doctor shortages. This medical / hospital equipment was the latest available in the 1950s when the Tawonga District General Hospital was built specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Metal egg shaped frame with metal pieces crossing longitudinally and across with attached moveable metal piece that holds cloth in when closed and fits into open hollow egg shaped frame. At one end is a flat metal piece that would rest on the forehead. Usually used for children. To add cloth (gauze or muslin) with anaesthetic (chloroform or ether) open the mask and place the cloth onto the frame. It clipped on and the fluid then dripped onto the cloth. CHIRON GERMANY between handle and oval.hospital; tawonga; mt beauty; medical; nurse; medical instrument; face; anaesthetic.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and it therefore required good equipment.Long metal instrument with sliding two finger piece. The other end is hollow and fitted with a very fine wire which was used to snare the tonsil (or nasal polyps). Note: incomplete - wire to be fitted into holes.BRITISHMADE at handle end.medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. hospital. mt beauty. medical instrument. nurse. medical. tonsil.

This medical / hospital equipment was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was builtin the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Metal instrument with rubber over 'handles'. One end has 2 curved handles with grooves crosses on outside at ends and covered with rubber. The pivot has a screw. The other end is smooth and on the inside. It has wavy grooves on the outside and a slight curve. About one third of the way down from the pivot is a steel, moveable, 'clasp' which catches at the correct width.t T on cross bit and on the inside of the handle.medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. hospital. medical. nurse. mouth. medical instrument.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance - Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacityHeavy solid metal cylinder - hollow with one section open (longitudinally) to fit onto handle of Auvard self retaining vaginal speculum.Scratchedmedical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. medical. hospital. nurse. doctor. medical instrument. weight. auvard. speculum.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance- Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacityMetal instrument with 2 parts. 1. heavy solid metal cylinder - hollow with 1 section open to fit onto handle 2. long metal hollow 3 sided curved handle spreading out to saddle shape and back on 80 degree angle to wide curve shape. Holes used for tape and tied to stirrups (therefore self retainer).BRITISHMADE between 2 holds on saddlemedical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. medical. hospital. nurse. doctor. speculum. auvard.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historically Significant: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Steel instrument - handle wide with gentle curve. Blade short, thin, flat and sharp with some rust.H.A.T.MELB. on handle Some rust on blade.medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. hospital. medical. knife. nurse. doctor.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built specifically in the 1950s for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historically Significant: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Rachet Closure to Clamp Arteries Metal shaped like scissors - serrated across at end for gripping. Finger grips have 3 teeth attached both sides to hold arteries firmly and permanentlyT.D.G.H. on one side (at junction) LRI / STAINLESS on other side (at junction) medical equipment. hospital equipment. mt beauty. tawonga. medical. hospital. nurse. doctor. artery. scissors. spencer wells. forceps. artery.

This medical instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. Used for sucking fluids during an operation. The sterilised pack is an old way of sterilising instruments.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.In sterilised bag. 3 metal instruments. 1. long and curved with holes at one end and hollow at the other. Near the hollow end the instrument breaks into 3 and rejoins further along. 2. An elongated "S" like metal instrument with an elongated hollow at one end and hollow at the other end where there is a small loop 3. A straight instrument except for close to one end where there is a hollow. At the other end it is hollow with a small loop near the end.medical instrument. hospital instrument. doctor. nurse. mt beauty. tawonga. yanckeur. operation. sterilise pack

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. This instrument was used in nasal surgery and is in a sterilised bag.Historically: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.In sterilised bag. Long pointed steel instrument with plastic handle with a protective shield a little along from the handle. The end of the steel rod has a very sharp point.medical instrument. hospital equipment. nasal. nose. mt beauty. tawonga. surgery., doctor. nurse

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.In sterilised bag. Steel medical instrument used as scissors for holding needles. The handle section is very long with teeth at the end enabling that end to join. In between the two handles is a piece of steel running lengthwise and attached at the end to each handle (goes across). The scissor end is short and blunt. Used as a needle holder during operations. medical instrument. hospital instrument. mt beauty. tawonga. doctor. nurse. needle.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Steel medical instrument used as scissors for holding needles. The handle section is very long with teeth at the end enabling that end to join. In between the 2 handles is a piece of steel running lengthwise and attached at the end to each handle (goes across). The scissor end is short and blunt. In sterilised pack.medical instrument. hospital instrument. mt beauty. tawonga. doctor. nurse. needle. mathieu

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Steel curved scissors used for grasping nasal polyps for removal. The handle is used with a spring like action controlled by pieces of steel in between. At the join the handles cross have a hinge and then cross back again and become scissors - flat and blunt.medical instrument. hospital instrument. doctor. nurse. tawonga. nasal. polyp.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Steel scissors used for dressings. Look like school scissors.medical instrument. hospital instrument. scissors. dressings. nurse. doctor. tawonga.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Steel scissors used for dressings. Blunt ends. Look like child's safety scissors.medical instrument. hospital instrument. tawonga. dressing. scissors. doctor. nurse.

These medical / hospital instruments were used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.The syringe holds 10cc Used to administer liquid drugs. Glass hollow cylinder with needle end steel and with fitting to attach needle. Glass plunger, hollow with wider solid top which prevents the plunger going into the hollow cylinder too far. Glass cylinders frosted.Hollow cylinder has markings for quantity of fluid (up to 10cc) On the other side "TOP / Reg. Trade Mark / Interchangeable" The plunger has no markings.hospital equipment. medical equipment. syringe. tawonga. mt beauty. leurlock.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Long steel scissors. Blades are bowed when closed with serrated ends for gripping. Used with packing gauze into a cavity.medical equipment. hospital equipment. scissors, forceps. mt beauty. tawonga.

This medical / hospital equipment was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was builtin the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Large stainless steel kidney shaped dish. Used in the operating theatre for collecting specimen or holding instruments. Edges are lipped (curved and blunt)Centre bottom of dish: Inscribed - Stainless / Steel / by / Paramount / K. C. Luke / Melb. / 48hospital equipment. medical equipment. hospital theatre. dish. mt beauty. tawonga. operating.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.2 the same each in a sterilised bag. Long steel forceps with 1 curved hook (for the fingers) and circle for the thumb. The scissor part is serrated with slight hook at end. They are curved from the pivot towards the hook side. Used for lifting instruments out of the autoclave. Was stored by the autoclave in a container of sterilising fluid.Inscribed on inside of hook handle: AH THEATREhospital equipment. medical equipment. forceps. autoclave. mt beauty. tawonga. cheatle's.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Long thin bladed steel knife. The handle is a similar length to the blade. The blade has a sharp serrated edge seemingly split longitudenly with a sharp tooth alternating on each side.hospital equipment. medical equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. knife. skin graft.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Used for rectal examinations. Stainless steel. 2 parts. Shaped like a gun the handle of the hollow holder being at a rectangle. The connections are attached to a cone shape. The part that fits inside this holder is straight with a handle at one end, with a shield to stop it travelling into its holder too far.Then it continues as a rod, half way along which is another shield until the rod stops at a solid half cylinder. The handle of the 'rod' is rounded with 8 faces.medical equipment. hospital equipment. sigmoidascope. rectum. mt beauty. tawonga.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.3 stainless steel parts in a sealed clear plastic bag. Used for an ear wash. 1. large hollow cylinder each end embossed with lines for something to be screwed on. 2. Plunger that fits inside cylinder & could screw on. 3. Top with a nozzle that screws on the other end.2. ?? / Made in England. Rod is marked with 4 inscriptions equal distance apart - measurements.hospital equipment. medical equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. aural syringe. ear.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.For removing tonsils. The curette is designed to scrape the surface. Long metal instrument with yellow (brass?) handle which is flatish with grooves on opposite sides. The instrument part is about the same length splitting out and forming a hook at right angles. The hook is formed by 2 parts together the lower part having 3 sharp teeth protruding inwards. The hook is wide. hospital equipment. medical equipment. tonsil. curette. mt beauty. tawonga.

This hospital / medical instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. The kit may have been used by the doctor when on home visits.Historical: Shows the development of scientific medical equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Red cardboard box with slide out tray holding 10cc syringe and 9 needles and stillett. The syringe has a glass cylinder with measurements marked and a plunger attached to a steel rod with 2 rings for the fingers on the side and 1 ring at the end. It is held in the box by two cardboard flaps. The steel needles vary in shape and size. On the syringe lines and numbers up to 10 cc Top of box in hand writing using pencil: Aspiration Syringe 10 ml and H/0/ and 41/6medical equipment. hospital equipment. mt beauty. tawonga. syringe. needles.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Metal catheter has a knob at one end and is slightly curved at the otherhospital equipment. medical equipment. doctor. catheter. tawonga. mt beauty.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Metal curette thicker at one end marked by another thick bit about half way along with a split at the end forming an elongated loop Used to scrape/clean the adenoids.medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. curette. adenoids.

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Glass frosted white syringe with markings for measurement. Steel plunger attachments. Tape has been stuck diagonally across and around the cylinder. Red lines and numbers on cylinder for measurement. 'Interchangeable EVERETT'medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. syringe. doctor, injection. innoculation

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Used for nibbling bones during operations. In sterilised bag. Look like pliers. Handle bowed with ribbed pattern. Gripping end has egg shaped hollow before meeting to grip.medical equipment. hospital equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. bones. rongeur. operation

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Stainless steel mouth gag used to hold the mouth open during surgery. e.g.. taking out the tonsils Some rubber on two curved parts. Too complicated to describe - see photo.hospital equipment. medical equipment. tawonga. mt beauty. tonsils. mouth gag. boyle-davis. surgery