Surgical forceps have been used in various forms from ancient times and have evolved into a indispensable instrument for modern surgeries. Forceps are surgical instruments for the practice of medicine which are used for grasping, holding, and manipulating tissues and objects during surgical procedures. Ancient Origins Surgical instruments, including forceps, have been use since man first started working with tools. Ancient civilizations, like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, had physicians who used rudimentary forceps made of bronze or iron. The forceps of the ancient world were often simple in design, with two arms that could be squeezed together to grasp objects. They were primarily used for tasks like extracting foreign bodies or handling tissues. Middle Ages and Renaissance During the Middle Ages, medical knowledge and surgical techniques experienced a decline in Europe. While the Roman empire enjoyed remarkably advanced medical care and practices, its collapse left a vacuum that led to a loss of a centralized medical knowledge and a disruption of education and trade. At the same time, religious superstitions suppressed medical inquiry. With many of the medical texts of Hippocrates and Galen and others lost, the medical practice experienced a decline. However, surgical forceps continued to be used in various forms, albeit with limited advancements. With the Renaissance period came a revival in medical knowledge and innovation. Ambroise Paré, a French surgeon of the 16th century, is credited with introducing improvements to the forceps design, making them more versatile and effective. 18th and 19th Centuries Innovators The 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant period of advancement in surgical instruments, including forceps. The famous French Surgeon Jean-Louis Petit introduced forceps with curved tips, making them more suitable for specific procedures. John Hunter, a Scottish surgeon, designed forceps with fine tips, allowing for more delicate and precise manipulation during surgeries. Joseph Lister, a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, emphasized the importance of cleanliness and sterile instruments during surgical procedures. This led to advancements in forceps sterilization techniques, which greatly improved patient outcomes. Modern Era The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the development of a wide variety of specialized forceps for different surgical procedures. Advances in metallurgy and manufacturing techniques allowed for more intricate and delicate designs. As surgery became more specialized, forceps were tailored to suit specific procedures, such as neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and gynecology. Contemporary Advances In recent decades, surgical technology evolves continuously. Many surgical procedures are now performed using minimally invasive techniques, which require specialized instruments. Modern surgical forceps are typically made of high-quality stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, or titanium. They come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, each suited to specific surgical tasks. Some forceps have serrated jaws for a better grip, while others have delicate tips for fine tissue manipulation. Modern Forceps The history of surgical forceps is a story of innovation, adaptation, and continuous refinement. From ancient origins to the modern era, these instruments have evolved alongside medical knowledge and surgical techniques, playing a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of surgery. https://www.wpiinc.com/blog/post/history-evolution-of-forceps These forceps were donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by the family of Doctor William Roy Angus, Surgeon and Oculist. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” that includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. ABOUT THE “W.R.ANGUS COLLECTION” Doctor William Roy Angus M.B., B.S., Adel., 1923, F.R.C.S. Edin.,1928 (also known as Dr Roy Angus) was born in Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1901 and lived until 1970. He qualified as a doctor in 1923 at University of Adelaide, was Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1924 and for a period was house surgeon to Sir (then Mr.) Henry Simpson Newland. Dr Angus was briefly an Assistant to Dr Riddell of Kapunda, then commenced private practice at Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula, SA, where he was physician, surgeon and chemist. In 1926, he was appointed as new Medical Assistant to Dr Thomas Francis Ryan (T.F. Ryan, or Tom), in Nhill, Victoria, where his experiences included radiology and pharmacy. In 1927 he was Acting House Surgeon in Dr Tom Ryan’s absence. Dr Angus had become engaged to Gladys Forsyth and they decided he further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927. He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928, was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the on the Australian Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1929, in Ballarat. (They went on to have one son (Graham 1932, born in SA) and two daughters (Helen (died 12/07/1996) and Berenice (Berry), both born at Mira, Nhill According to Berry, her mother Gladys made a lot of their clothes. She was very talented and did some lovely embroidery including lingerie for her trousseau and beautifully handmade baby clothes. Dr Angus was a ‘flying doctor’ for the A.I.M. (Australian Inland Ministry) Aerial Medical Service in 1928. Its first station was in the remote town of Oodnadatta, where Dr Angus was stationed. He was locum tenens there on North-South Railway at 21 Mile Camp. He took up this ‘flying doctor’ position in response to a call from Dr John Flynn; the organisation was later known as the Flying Doctor Service, then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A lot of his work during this time involved dental surgery also. Between 1928-1932 he was surgeon at the Curramulka Hospital, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. In 1933 Dr Angus returned to Nhill and purchased a share of the Nelson Street practice and Mira hospital (a 2 bed ward at the Nelson Street Practice) from Dr Les Middleton one of the Middleton Brothers, the current owners of what previously once Dr Tom Ryan’s practice. Dr Tom and his brother had worked as surgeons included eye surgery. Dr Tom Ryan performed many of his operations in the Mira private hospital on his premises. He had been House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1902-1926. Dr Tom Ryan had one of the only two pieces of radiology equipment in Victoria during his practicing years – The Royal Melbourne Hospital had the other one. Over the years Dr Tom Ryan had gradually set up what was effectively a training school for country general-practitioner-surgeons. Each patient was carefully examined, including using the X-ray machine, and any surgery was discussed and planned with Dr Ryan’s assistants several days in advance. Dr Angus gained experience in using the X-ray machine there during his time as assistant to Dr Ryan. When Dr Angus bought into the Nelson Street premises in Nhill he was also appointed as the Nhill Hospital’s Honorary House Surgeon 1933-1938. His practitioner’s plate from his Nhill surgery is now mounted on the doorway to the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. When Dr Angus took up practice in the Dr Edward and Dr Tom Ryan’s old premises he obtained their extensive collection of historical medical equipment and materials spanning 1884-1926. A large part of this collection is now on display at the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. In 1939 Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool where he purchased “Birchwood,” the 1852 home and medical practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson, at 214 Koroit Street. (This property was sold in1965 to the State Government and is now the site of the Warrnambool Police Station and an ALDI sore is on the land that was once their tennis court). The Angus family was able to afford gardeners, cooks and maids; their home was a popular place for visiting dignitaries to stay whilst visiting Warrnambool. Dr Angus had his own silk worm farm at home in a Mulberry tree. His young daughter used his centrifuge for spinning the silk. Dr Angus was appointed on a part-time basis as Port Medical Officer (Health Officer) in Warrnambool and held this position until the 1940’s when the government no longer required the service of a Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool; he was thus Warrnambool’s last serving Port Medical Officer. (Masters of immigrant ships arriving in port reported incidents of diseases, illness and death and the Port Medical Officer made a decision on whether the ship required Quarantine and for how long, in this way preventing contagious illness from spreading from new immigrants to the residents already in the colony.) Dr Angus was a member of the Australian Medical Association, for 35 years and surgeon at the Warrnambool Base Hospital 1939-1942, He served with the Australian Department of Defence as a Surgeon Captain during WWII 1942-45, in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W., completing his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. During his convalescence he carved an intricate and ‘most artistic’ chess set from the material that dentures were made from. He then studied ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and created cosmetically superior artificial eyes by pioneering using the intrascleral cartilage. Angus received accolades from the Ophthalmological Society of Australasia for this work. He returned to Warrnambool to commence practice as an ophthalmologist, pioneering in artificial eye improvements. He was Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist to Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He made monthly visits to Portland as a visiting surgeon, to perform eye surgery. He represented the Victorian South-West subdivision of the Australian Medical Association as its secretary between 1949 and 1956 and as chairman from 1956 to 1958. In 1968 Dr Angus was elected member of Spain’s Barraquer Institute of Barcelona after his research work in Intrasclearal cartilage grafting, becoming one of the few Australian ophthalmologists to receive this honour, and in the following year presented his final paper on Living Intrasclearal Cartilage Implants at the Inaugural Meeting of the Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Melbourne In his personal life Dr Angus was a Presbyterian and treated Sunday as a Sabbath, a day of rest. He would visit 3 or 4 country patients on a Sunday, taking his children along ‘for the ride’ and to visit with him. Sunday evenings he would play the pianola and sing Scottish songs to his family. One of Dr Angus’ patients was Margaret MacKenzie, author of a book on local shipwrecks that she’d seen as an eye witness from the late 1880’s in Peterborough, Victoria. In the early 1950’s Dr Angus, painted a picture of a shipwreck for the cover jacket of Margaret’s book, Shipwrecks and More Shipwrecks. She was blind in later life and her daughter wrote the actual book for her. Dr Angus and his wife Gladys were very involved in Warrnambool’s society with a strong interest in civic affairs. He had an interest in people and the community. They were both involved in the creation of Flagstaff Hill, including the layout of the gardens. After his death (28th March 1970) his family requested his practitioner’s plate, medical instruments and some personal belongings be displayed in the Port Medical Office surgery at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and be called the “W. R. Angus Collection”. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The collection of medical instruments and other equipment is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine, administration, household equipment and clothing from late 19th to mid-20th century. Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan, a pioneer in the use of X-rays and in ocular surgery. Forceps from W.R. Angus Collection. Stainless steel, elbow shape in middle, hollow claw shape ends, one handle is open circle, handles clip together. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, dr w r angus, dr ryan, surgical instrument, t.s.s. largs bay, warrnambool base hospital, nhill base hospital, mira hospital, flying doctor, department of defence australia, australian army, army uniform, medical treatment, medical history, medical education, forceps, surgery

Smokers cap, Navy blue velvet embroidered on top and sides with white flowers and green leaves, button and green and white tassle , interior of white cotton with red circles.costume, male, cap

Metal brooch or pin. Item is three linked circles forming a spiral shape. Decorative rope like engraving covers the circles.Object is rusted and the remains of a pin or fastener is on the reverse.bendigo, gold mining, qc binks

Small card issued by maples of pall Mall Bendigo. Small ornamental circle featuring Star of David in centre, andf lapel pin in the name of Florence Nightingale Memorial.

The shell is painted dark green & beige. There is an insignia on the side with a navy blue circle with a white star in the middle. Two red squares with 2 yellow stripes on either side.cessna o.1 bird dog

Created for the purpose of bomb delivery from B-24 Liberator aircraft. The item was originally fitted to RAAF Liberator 72-176. During salvage and disposal operations it was damaged losing 50% of the body. The item was used as a reference to manufacture a complete example.An example of late 1930's engineering practice in an endeavour to modernise aircraft technology.The item has 50% of it's body missing.Quadrant base and operative lever.Quarter circle casting with operating handle attached,base is squared off with rivets attaching both parts.Bomb doors, 32-F-7523 (part number) three times, closed, open, safe, select.

Table centre was donated by Bette Jones from her collection of fine manchester.Tenneriffe Lace, square white cotton to form daisy like patterns measuring 5cm in diameter. Joined to centre of white linen and drawn thread square of smaller circles.domestic items, table setting

Black and white photo of a group of people standing in a hall, possibly at the end of a dance. Banner hanging around the walls has Union Jack type pattern with a circle in the centre.photo, group, dance, peter ellis collection, dance

The students from Bulla Primary School were engaging in a variety of creative activities as part of their studies. The activities that they participated in were dancing, drama, singing and instrumental music. The activity in this photograph the children were preparing to lift the coloured banner into the air. It was an activity that involved group cooperation and coordination.This activity engaged the children in group cooperation and coordination.A non-digital coloured photograph of group of children standing in a grassed area, in a large circle while holding onto a large coloured circular banner with an adult supervising the group.creative activities, bulla primary school

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Two artworks framed in rustic frames. .1) brown artwork featuring a central square is titled 'Morning Nocturne'. .2) artwork featuring a central circle (title unknown) art, artwork, paul mears

Turning first sod for the raillway in Port Fairy 1887black and white photographic copy of 62.20.042 group of men and boys inn semi circle celebrating the turning of the first sod of soil in the building of the railway line to Port Fairytransport, rail, road, first sod, port fairy, train

Range cards are used to estimate ranges between certain objects or positions. Military personnel use range cards as temporary maps to identify objects and ranges for fire control and other military operations. Corporal Bob Gladwin served in Vietnam, but this range card would have been used after the Australian withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973. Range cards were everyday objects used by soldiers throughout the 20th century. They represent the day to day life of military personnel in bases and in the field. Green plastic card, square with rounded edges. Has a series of white, concentric circles in the centre of the front, with white text explaining use. Owner's name marked on the rear.Front: Various markings and text. Rear: CPL Bob Gladwinrange card, army, australia

Australian servicemen who served in the Second World War often returned home with souvenirs from battle. Whilst the provenance of this particular flag is not documented, it may be a Good Luck Flag or yosegaki hinomaru; a flag signed by family members and given to Japanese servicemen deployed during the Second World War.Large black frame with gold inner surround. Charcoal fabric mounting. White part of flag is covered with Japanese writing in black ink around red circle in center.Japanese writing in black ink on front. flag, japanese, japanese flag, wwii, world war 2

The cap was swapped for a packet of " Dereske." cigarettes by Bill Theodore DSM, PM2981 when he was on HMAS Vendetta. The cap was from a German POW who was being taken out of Tobruk on the Vendetta during the Siege. Refer Cat No 7926P for Bills service details. German cap, green cotton, on the front is a "German Eagle." light blue, under is a diamond shaped brown with a blue, white & red circle centre, inside is red lined."Berlin No 55558KB"uniform - german army, theodore dsm, tobruk

Early R. S. L. badge Early R.S.L. badge - 2 figures -army & navy. White background with blue circle & red on bottom, crown on top. "Returned Sailors & Soldiers" No. 87261 F. TestroAustraliar.s.l., badge, army & navy

These cycling medals were awarded to W. S. Toyne. Two of these medals are time medallions relating to the Warrnambool to Melbourne Cycle Race. This race was first held in 1895 and continues to the present day. It was originally a handicap race from Warrnambool to Melbourne but after 1938 it became a Melbourne to Warrnambool race. After 1995 it became a scratch race and today the distance is shorter with the race starting from Avalon. It is the second oldest one-day cycling race in the world and the longest one-day cycling race in Australia. All riders who complete the race in a given time are awarded a Time Medallion. The race was sponsored by the Dunlop company from 1901 to 1927. In 1923, 123 of the 196 riders, who started at 5:30am completed the 165 mile road race and were awarded the time medallion. W. S. Toyne was listed among the some of the first cyclists to go through Camperdown at 8:16am. It was reported that over 50,000 spectators witnessed the progress of the race. These cycling medals belonged to a cyclist, W. S. Toyne, who completed in a significant sporting event in Warrnambool in 1923 and 1924. [.1] Round metal and enamel medal with blue enamel edge and an unidentified white coat of arms with a red cross containing five stars on the obverse side. The shield is held by an embossed kangaroo on the left and an emu on the right. The reverse is inscribed with name and time in an inner circle and the year and race on the outer edge. [.2] Round metal and enamel medal with blue enamel edge and a white enamel shield containing five stars in the centre of the obverse side. The reverse is inscribed with the name and time in the inner circle and the race name on the outer edge. [.3] metal and enamel medal with a blue enamel circle with white enamel boomerangs sitting above and below.[.1] Obverse: Dunlop Road Race; Reverse: Warrnambool-Melbourne Time Medallion 1924 Won by W. S. Toyne 5 Hrs. 47 Mns. 42 Sds. [.2] Obverse: Dunlop Road Race 1923; Reverse: Warrnambool-Melbourne Time Medallion; Won by W. S. TOYNE 10 Hrs. 30 Mns. Sds. [.3] Obverse: Barnet Glass Ballarat-Melbourne Road Race 1923; Reverse W. S. Toynew. s. toyne, dunlop road race, barnet glass road race, ballarat to melbourne cycle race, time medallions, warrnambool to melbourne cycle race

Newspaper articles and 3 colour photographs relating to Outer Circle Rail Landcouncillor, mayor, jack campbell, brian rudski, malvern, kew, caulfield, premier john cain, mrs cain

School photograph 1915 Greensborough State School No.2062, with William McDowell circled.Digital copy of black and white photograph.greensborough primary school, greensborough state school

interior photograph. View of dress circle and back of stalls Palais Pictures C1930poor black and white photograph unmounted

Palais Theatre, Proscenium arch showing pit, taken from dress circletwo black and white photographs (different quality), unmounted, original fair conditionPalais Theatre, Proscenium Arch

The Eureka Circle was commissioned by the City of Ballarat to mark the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballaratcorten steel artwork with flag pole and Eureka flag at centre

To honour the commitment by its volunteers, the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales provided badges to commemorate 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. The badge consist of the relevant number in a centre circle, with the words 'Royal Blind Society' around the outside of the circle.Metal pins in various tones with numbersRoyal Blind Society Volunteerroyal blind society of new south wales, badges

Sole manufacturer ef. "Kruschen": Evan Griffiths Hughes, chemists of County of Lancashire, England. Keuschen Salts was an electrolyte replenisher to prevent heat cramps caused by too much sweating.Used by a resident of te Kiewa Valley.Amber coloured glass bottle with metal screwtop lid, remnants of a label.Lid: "Kruschen" stamped inside a circle on the tin. Base also has 'Kruschen' in raised lettering.kruschen salts, electrolyte, medicinal

This beautiful hand-cut crystal vase was made in Poland by Violetta Crystal Glassworks. Its design is decorative and functional. It reflects vases produced in the late 19th and early 20th century when hand-cut lead Crystalware was popular in England. The lead content in the glass makes the glass softer and easier to hand-cut. The crystal clear glass sparkles in the light. Crystalware was kept for special occasions such as weddings and religious events. The Violetta Crystal Glassworks was founded in 1864 by Franz Losky, at the district of in Stronie Śląskie. Its original name was Oransko-Nassawska Glassworks, then later named Oranienhütte. The Glassworks came under Poland's rule after World War II. In 1950 it was subject to the Central Board of the Glass Industry and Precious Ceramics, with its seat in Sosnowiec, and the Glassworks was called United Glassworks of the Lower Silesia Region – State Crystal Glassworks in Stronie Śląskie.In 1953 it began exporting its products. In 1970 the name was changed to Violetta Crystal Glassworks in the Polish district of Stronie Śląskie. The firm became the major exporter of Polish glass. From 1992, structural changes in the company resulted in the loss of production, which stopped altogether in May, 2008. Minex CEI SA bought the plant in 2011 and operated it until the end of 2018.This hand-cut lead crystal vase design reflects that of vases produced in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. It is representative of decorative domestic items used during that era, particularly for important and special occasions such as weddings and religious events. Crystalware was cherished for its beauty. The vase is also significant for its association with the renowned Violetta Crystal Glassworks established in 1864 by Franz Losky, which was at one time the greatest exporter of hand-cut crystal made in Poland.Vase; clear hand-cut glass, 24 per cent lead crystal. The vase is wide at the top with a scalloped edge. It tapers inwards to a round foot. A clear rectangular label with gold text is attached. It is branded Violetta hand-cut crystal, made in Poland. On the label: "MADE IN POLAND" "Violetta" "Hand cut 24 % lead crystal" "(R)" within a circleflagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill museum and village, domestic object, decorative object, functional object, vase, crystal vase, cut glass vase, hand-cut glass, violetta, violetta glassworks, polish glassworks, made in poland, vase with scalloped edge, crystal glassworks, franz losky, oransko-nassawska glassworks, oranienhütte, stronie śląskie, hand-cut crystal, crystalware

Colour photograph of installation of new sleepers into access track of Ballarat Tramway Museum, using a backhoe. Taken on 4.12.95. In photo are: Gary Wood (working with shovel), Richard Gilbert (with hat) and Greg Rogers. New sleeper being inserted. Remains of old sleeper by back hoe bucket. Photo appeared on page 22 of Trolley Wire, Feb. 1996.On rear in pencil is 4 inside a circle and stamp with sticker 'William F. Scott/ 4.12.95 23'btm, trackwork, sleepers

Colour Photograph of a sleeper being removed from the access track of the Ballarat Tramway Museum on 4.12.95. Old sleeper, or pieces of wood, being removed with a backhoe. Gary Wood with shovel and Clayton Giles in background.On rear in pencil is 3 inside a circle and stamp with sticker 'William F. Scott/ 4.12.95 E'btm, trackwork, sleepers

Black leather shoes with colour wear marks. Leather bows on arch. Strap with islet punch for black buttonMakers mark worn on sole "ALL LEATHER IHM" in stamped circle 11 stamped on sole