The metal probe in this set (.6) was used to puncture superficial skin blisters or eruptions and to probe suspected pus filled wounds. The Mayo scissors (.7) was (and still is) part of all major and minor suturing sets. It is also used in general theatres.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.Pocket dressing case containing surgical tools. Case [185.1] is made of cream household chamois, with two end flaps and small overlapping front piece to indicate the front of the case. Middle of the case has a strip of chamois divided into nine sections to hold the instruments. Tools contained in the case are: straight Spencer Wells artery forceps x2 [185.2,185.3], Allis box jointed tissue forceps x2 [185.4,185.5], straight probe [185.6], curved Mayo scissors [185.7], straight dissecting forceps [185.8], catheter (female) [185.9], straight McPhail needle holder [185.10]. Artery forceps 185.2 are stamped with '19' on both inner arms. Tissue forceps 185.4 are stamped with "2" on inner arm. Tissue forceps 185.5 are stamped with "8" on inner arm. Mayo scissors 185.7 are marked with '"1". Dissecting forceps 185.8 are marked with "1".surgery

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.Mask is made up of several layers of muslin gauze sewn together with cotton tape. The ends of the tape were used to tie the mask to the doctor's face covering the nose and mouth.surgery

The Gladstone bag was first developed in the mid 19th century and was named after British politician William Gladstone, a four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdon. 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.Leather gladstone bag with leather handle and leather strap. Lining of bag is torn. Base of bag carries the words 'SOLID LEATHER' and the number '20'. surgery

This needle was owned and used by Dr William Geoffrey Wicks and was referred to as a "boomerang needle". [source: Curator Sue Barnett, 2000] The needle is similar to Ralph Worralll's broad ligament needle, page a/210, Felton, Grimwade & Duerdins catalogue 1948.Broad ligament needle with slot eye. Distal end of metal shaft tapers at an angle to a needle point. Proximal end of needle shaft forks to create a handle shape with a rounded bulb at the end. Underside on needle is stamped "J.AUSTIN" and "STAINLESS". "J. AUSTIN" "STAINLESS"surgery

These forceps belonged to Dr Lorna Lloyd-Green.Two pairs of stainless steel straight artery forceps. Forcep blades are secured with a screw attachment. One pair of forceps (.1) is inscribed with the number '3' inside both forcep shafts. The second pair (.2) is inscribed with the number '2' inside both forcep shafts.'3' '2'surgery

This surgical instrument kit, c1870s, originally belonged to Lord Joseph Lister. On his retirement in 1892, Lord Lister presented the instrument kit to his friend Dr Alexander Matthew. The donor of the surgical kit, Professor Ian Stewart Fraser, is the great grandson of Dr Alexander Matthew. The donor, Ian Fraser, checked with his mother about the inscription "Ethel Livie". There was no one of that name in his mother's family tree and the instruments were passed down from his mother's family.This surgical kit, made by Young of Edinburgh Scotland in the 1870s is significant because it belonged to and was most likely used by an internationally important figure in modern medicine, Lord Joseph Lister. Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, Bt., OM, FRS, PC (5 April 1827 – 10 February 1912), known as Sir Joseph Lister, Bt., between 1883 and 1897, was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery. By applying Louis Pasteur's advances in microbiology, he promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Lister successfully introduced carbolic acid (now known as phenol) to sterilise surgical instruments and to clean wounds, which led to a reduction in post-operative infections and made surgery safer for patients. Surgical instruments in original timber case, containing two steel sharp hooks with the manufacturer's stamp,"YOUNG EDINBURGH" on the handles, five steel scalpels with ebony handles in assorted sizes. Also included separately are autopsy hooks, one metal blowpipe [commonly used with urine testing apparatus] and two dissector forceps. "YOUNG EDINBURGH"; "ETHEL LIVIE"surgery

Needles in this collection include: -2 x abdominal triangular cutting edge suture needles, used for skin suture. Size 2/0 -Morrison's half circle round bodied suture needle, size 3 and size 2 -Bonney's regular curved cutting edge suture needle, size 7 or 8 -Regular curved triangular pointed suture needle, size 2 and size 6 -Ferguson's round point half circle suture needle, size 15 -Hagerdorn's reversed 1/20 suture needle, size 7 -Bonney's curved suture needle, size 7 and size 9 -Regular curved triangular cutting point suture needle, size 15 -Boston/intestinal fine round bodied half circle suture needle 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.Collection of suture needles in wooden case. Consists of four, loose, crescent shaped needles, and an additional nine needles stuck into a piece of cork. Case is cylindrical, has a lid and is possibly made from pine wood.surgery

This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Set of straight metal forceps, resembling elongated scissors. The tips of the forceps are serrated for grip, and there is a notch system for clamping the forceps near the handles.surgery

This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Two clear plastic specimen jars with yellow lids. There is a label stuck to the outside of each jar for recording the contents of any specimen placed in the jar.surgery

The packing of this needle was an example of an instrument sterilisation process that is no longer employed. This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Needle wrapped in gauze, padding and cloth. surgery

The packing of these needles is an example of an instrument sterilisation process that is no longer employed. This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Three needle attachments wrapped in gauze, padding and cloth. surgery

The packing of this needle is an example of an instrument sterilisation process that is no longer employed. This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Three-inch needle attachment wrapped in gauze, padding and cloth. Handwritten scrap of paper inside wrapping reads 'Sterile/22.3.89'. It originally reads as 'Unsterile' but the 'Un' has been crossed out.surgery

Set of metal dissection tools in a plastic travelling case. Set consists of ten tools, including scalpels, scissors, tweezers and a puncture/needle tool. Manufacturer's stamp inside top of case reads 'RAMSAY/MELBOURNE'.RAMSAY/MELBOURNEsurgery

Michel clips are small clips used to close surgical incisions. They are then removed when healing is complete. They are also sometimes used temporarily as part of a procedure to stop blood flow. This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Metal tin containing two sets of applicators, which resemble tweezers. Tim also contains a thin wire device and a stand for holding these items in place inside the tin. Tin has a removable lid.surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Metal surgical tool with bakelite handle. Tool consists of a metal shaft with a hook/clip at the end. Metal fixture on the side of the shaft, just above the handle, can be used to open and close the loop of the hook.surgery

The attribution of this item as a thyroid elevator is currently uncertain.This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Surgical tool. Consists of a central shaft, the shape of which bows out in the middle into an elongated oval, with prongs in the shape of double hooks at either end. Inscription on one end of the tool reads 'MAYER & MELTZER', and inscription at the other end reads 'LONDON'.'MAYER & MELTZER' 'LONDON'surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Surgical tool consisting of four metal prongs, extending from a frame in the rough shape of a pointed oval. The two lower prongs are straight, and the two upper prongs taper downwards towards the lower prongs. The top of the frame has a butterfly type screw point and two handles/finger grips.surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of tissue forceps. Forceps resemble a thin, elongated pair of scissors with a locking latch below the handle and a round loop at the end of each blade.surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of tissue forceps. Forceps resemble a thin, elongated pair of scissors with a locking latch below the handles and a round loop at the end of each blade. The blades of these forceps curve in towards each other just below the locking latch. The pin joining the blades together is a loose fit, meaning the blades are easily separated.surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of tissue forceps. Forceps resemble a thin, elongated pair of scissors with a locking latch below the handle and a small, curved claw with three teeth at the end of each blade. The blades of these forceps curve in towards each other just below the locking latch. Manufacturer's inscription on the forceps reads 'MAYER & MELTZER LONDON'.'MAYER & MELTZER LONDON'surgery

Adenoid curettes are used to remove infected or inflamed adenoids. Their sharp inner blade removes the adenoid in an atraumatic manner without causing harm to the surrounding tissues.This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Metal curette (surgical scraping tool). Consists of a handle section with divots for ergonomic finger grip, and a straight, thin metal shaft which forks into two small arms with a cutting blade between them at the tips. The arms at the end of the shaft are curved so that the blade is perpendicular to the shaft of the instrument. Shaft of the curette is engraved with the text 'MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT''MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT'surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Double headed metal curette (surgical scraping tool). Consists of a thin metal shaft with a small cutting blade in the shape of an open loop at one end, and a solid metal scoop at the other end. There is an ergonomic grip at the middle of the tool. surgery

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of metal forceps. The forceps resemble a set of pliers, with cutting blades at the end of the handles. The handles of the tool are engraved with the text 'MAYER &/MELTZER' on one handle, and 'LONDON' on the other.'MEYER &/MELTZER' 'LONDON'surgery

This case was designed to hold 1ml syringes.This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Small metal syringe case. The inside of the case has metal fittings to hold two syringes. Case is empty.surgery

This instrument may be associated with an optical procedure, but attribution is uncertain.This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of metal forceps. Consists of scissor-like handles and shaft, ending in a set of fittings that make an oval shape when the forceps are closed. There are two small, curved claws on the inner aspect of both halves of the fittings. One side of forceps is engraved with the text 'MAYER & MELTZER/RECd No 298644'. 'MAYER & MELTZER/RECd No 298644'. surgery

These forceps may be a version of Tate's uterine forceps. This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of metal scissor style forceps. Consists of two blades, joined with a pin, with a ratchet for clamping below the finger grips/handles. The end of each blade of the forceps is curved, and the inner surface at the end of each blade is serrated for grip. surgery

These forceps are a type of uterine forceps used for gynaecological procedures. This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of metal scissor style forceps. Consists of two blades, joined with a pin, with a small ratchet for clamping below the finger grips/handles. The end of the forceps curves to one side, and each blade of the forceps ends with a hook. When the forceps are closed, the hooks on either blade join together to make a loop.surgery

These forceps are believed to be a type of uterine forceps. More research needed.This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Set of metal scissor forceps. Consists of two blades, joined with a pin, with finger grips/handles at one end. Each blade of the forceps ends with a fine, curved point. When the forceps are closed, the tips of the blades touch. Engraved with the text ' BRITISH MEDICAL SUPPLY', the number 20, a symbol, and the text 'PAT.5.3.92.''BRITISH MEDICAL SUPPLY', 'PAT.5.3.92.'surgery