In 1940 doctors started experimenting with curare for use with electric shock therapy. Electric shock therapy regularly caused broken bones, including vertebrae, and all sorts of dislocations. The intensity of convulsions was high and couldn’t be controlled. During the 19th Century curare was unsuccessfully used to treat rabies, tetanus and epilepsy. By 1935, Harold King had isolated tubocurarine, curare’s active ingredient. In 1942, Harold Griffith successfully used standardised curare (Intocostrin) with cyclopropane. Within five years synthesised muscle relaxants were available. Intocostrin, combined with an anaesthetic agent, was a break-through for this treatment.Solid wooden box with three separate sections inside box. First section contains electrical lead for attaching unit to mains power. Second section contains ECT unit and controls. Third sections contains electrical lead ending in plugs for holding in hands. Sections cannot be separated out, they form one unit.Etched on to the face of the internal unit: PROPERTY OF / THE ROYAL WOMEN'S HOSPITAL Label tape affixed to top of the lid: E.C.T. UNIT OP. THEATRES R.W.H.anaesthesia, muscle relaxants, electroconvulsive shock therapy, women

A special stool made to enable a disabled surgeon to operate while sitting was donated to the College by Mr John Farlow FRACS in September 2003.The stool was made for Gilbert Phillips FRACS (1904-52), the legendary Sydney neurosurgeon and wine connoisseur. Phillips was a gifted young graduate, a protégé of (Sir) Harold Dew (PRACS 1953-55). He went to England, where he became surgical assistant to (Sir) Hugh Cairns, amongst others. He was a consultant to the RAAF during WWII, and at the end of the War returned to England at Cairns’ request. Back in Sydney, he returned to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he spent most of his professional career. In 1951, after a long battle with skin cancer, he had his right leg amputated below the knee. Only a few weeks later he was back working at the operating table, and it was at this time the stool was constructed for him. By now however, he was suffering from secondary melanoma, and he died in September 1952.This object is an interesting example of pioneering apparatus from the days before stools became a familiar piece of theatre equipment.The design of the stool is simple and robust. A substantial padded saddle forms the seat, which is adjustable for height. The saddle is upholstered in red leather. The frame is made from tubular steel, painted cream. The whole device runs on three swivelling casters, two at the front and one at the rear, which enable it to be taken in any direction. noneracs, gilbert phillips, harold dew, surgery, 2003

Wooden Boxproctoscope, equipment

rectal drip equipment

emergency, equipment, oxygen, suction

Solid wooden boxgenito-urinary, equipment

BOX CONTAINING SURGICAL HYPODERMIC NEEDLES - 'SOLILA' BRANDlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, clunes hospital

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL IN THE OPERATING THEATREBOX : SQUARE WOODEN BOX OVERLAID WITH BLACK LEATHER, LINED IN DEEP BLUE VELVET WITH SHAPED RECESSES FOR 4 X AURISCOPE PARTS. INSTRUMENTS : SILVER "TRUMPET" SHAPED INSTRUMENT WITH THREE SIZES OF SILVER ATTACHMENTSlocal history, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL OPERATING THEATRETWO STAINLESS STEEL TUBES CHAINED TOGETHERELLIOTTS SYDNEYlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL.1 STAINLESS STEEL .2 - .9 INSTRUMENTSL BRUCK, MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL OPERATING THEATRETWO STAINLESS STEEL TUBES CHAINED TOGETHERD.H.A.local history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

OBJECTS CAME FROM THE FORMER CLUNES HOSPITALTWO SMALL GLASS CALIBRATED MEASURESlocal history, medicine, glassware, clunes hospital

Used at the Clunes and District HospitalSTAINLESS STEEL CONTAINER WITH HANDLE AT ONE END AND A CURVED END AT THE OTHERNILlocal history, medical equipment

BOXED MALE URINAL WITH WAISTBAND, FOR DAY AND NIGHT USElocal history, medicine, medical appliance, hospital, clunes

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITALSET OF 5 EYE INSTRUMENTS IN WOODEN BOXlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL IN THE OPERATING THEATREBOX : SQUARE WOODEN BOX OVERLAID WITH BLACK LEATHER, LINED IN DEEP BLUE VELVET SHAPED RECESSES FOR AUROSCOPE PARTS Five instruments in box INSTRUMENTS : STAINLESS STEEL SHAPED INSTRUMENT WITH THREE SIZES OF STAINLESS STEEL ATTACHMENTSlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE OLD CLUNES HOSPITAL IN THE OPERATING THEATRESTAINLESS STEEL SAW USED FOR SURGERY / DISSTON BRANDlocal history, medicine, medical equipment, medical

USED IN THE FORMER CLUNES HOSPITALWHITE CHINA BED PANlocal history, medical, medical equipment

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Nurse Jeanette Myers attending male patient.Bendigo Base Hospital Ward 5 Mens Surgical Ward Sr E Clergg Nurse Jeanette Myers School 71 PTS 12.2.68ndns, nursing training, nursing education equipment

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Nurses attending female patient - Nurse at hand side Nurse O'Donahue taken Bendigo Hospital Drs Name of Bed cardL ? Patient Nrndns, nursing training, nursing education equipment

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Sister Valda Doble and Nurse Julie Priest - Bathing Newborn BBH Stanistreet House Nr J Priest Sr v Doble - Aulsebrook & Martin Photographers 311 Williamson Street Bendigo Ph 43 5626ndns, nursing training, nursing education equipment

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Male Nurse D.K Torpey caring for woman - Bandaging a splint to support IV site Color photoSchool 85 3.2.1975 D.K Torpey (Mildura Student)ndns, nursing training, nursing education equipment