To use this tape, the tube would be broken in half using cat-gut breakers.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.Glass vial, containing silk umbilical tape [193.2] in sterile solution. The tape is wound around a flat spool.obstetric delivery

Tanned or chronic catgut came from top quality catgut (fat free). A hardening process was then applied to the muscle durations. The process was introduced and perfected by the firm of Mersons of Edinburgh, makers of sterile surgical ligatures in the early 1930s. Once processed the catgut was preserved in an iod-asceptic preserving spirit and hermetically sealed in glass tubes. It was completely sterile and ready for immediate use. The length of the catgut in each tube was five feet, or 2.5m, and could be wound onto glass winders in assorted colours.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.Two glass vials [195.1,.3] with catgut number three "Ethicon" [195.2,.4] in sterile solution. Vials are moulded and sealed at both ends.obstetric delivery

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.Round glass bottle [196.1] containing iodine solution with glass stopper [196.2] and metal screw cap [196.3]. Bottle has a ridged neck and is approximately half filled with iodine solution. obstetric delivery

The use of chloroform as an anaesthetic for humans was first demonstrated by Edinburgh surgeon James Young Simpson in 1847. It was used as an anaesthetic in the 19th and early 20th centuries.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.Amber glass bottle [197.1] with long neck and matching stopper [197.2]. The text "Lamprecht's" and "36587" stamped into the glass. Bottle is round with a fluted, vase like top and a small spout. Stopper is topped by a circular knob and tapers towards a point."Lamprecht's" "36587"anaesthesia

These types of towels were introduced into hospitals in the 1900s, where they were used mostly in operating theatres and on dressing trays. The towels became too costly to launder and were replaced by more modern disposable materials.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.Thick cotton/linen towel, with a 'bubble' or 'chain' design in the material. The word "Hospital" is woven into the central band. There is a 1.25cm machined hem on unsealable sides.obstetric delivery

These types of towels were introduced into hospitals in the 1900s, where they were used mostly in operating theatres and on dressing trays. The towels became too costly to launder and were replaced by more modern disposable materials.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.Thick cotton/linen towel, with a 'bubble' or 'chain' design in the material. The word "Hospital" is woven twice into the central band. There is a 1cm machined hem on unsealable sides.obstetric delivery

This is a one pint general purpose enamel jug. 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.Cream coloured jug, made of enamelled metal with a blue rim. Inside the jug are markings for imperial and metric capacity.infant care

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

Pituitrin was used for the induction of labour prior to birth and for the treatment of post-partum haemorrhage (from vasopressin's vasoconstrictive properties). Morphine is used for the short term management of severe pain. Hyosine Hydrobromide, also known as scopolamine, is used to treat motion sickness and postoperative nausea and vomiting.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.Selection of four medical vials in a small cardboard box. Vials contain Pituitrin [206.5, 206.6] , Morphine Suphate [206.2] and Hyosine Hydrobromide [206.3, 206.4]. Box is labelled ""HERMETTE"/PITUITARY EXTRACT" drugs

This item was rubbed several times on each side of a glass ampoule or vial to make a cut in the glass, after which the head of the ampoule/vial was snapped off.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.Small metal blade, approximately 4.5cm in length. The upper edge of the blade is smooth, and the lower edge has a line of fine serrations for cutting.

This operating table belonged to the famous gynaecological surgeon Dr Victor Bonney and was given to Dr Frank Forster in 1953 by his widow Mrs Annie Bonnie, a distant relative of Forster's. Dr Victor Bonney (1872 - 1953) followed his father into medicine and trained at St Bartholomew's and the Middlesex Hospitals. Writing his obituary in 1953, FW Roques said of Bonney that he "'made three great gifts to surgery. First, he was the pioneer of myomectomy; second, with Berkeley, he extended and perfected Wertheim's operation for carcinoma of the cervix; and third, he devised a fine surgical technique emulated by so many of his pupils. To theatre sisters, labour-ward sisters and young house-surgeons he will always be remembered as the discoverer of 'Bonney's Blue' [antiseptic solution].'" Bonney's utilitarian, portable operating table has a round, worn scrubbed patch showing traces of his famous blue solution.This portable operating table was owned and used by pioneering gynaecological surgeon Sir Victor Bonney in London, U.K. c 1900. Dr Bonney employed two theatre sisters and had two sets of instruments and portable operating tables. This made it possible for Dr Bonney to 'complete three or more operations a day by rotating staff and equipment with a chauffeur driven Lanchester or Rolls Royce', delivering them from one house to the next. The donor of the operating table, the late Dr Frank Forster, was a distant relative of Sir Victor Bonney's widow, Annie Appleyard, formerly of Tasmania. When he visited her in the UK after Bonney's death, she offered the operating table to Dr Forster for the RANZCOG Museum. It was still in a canvas bag in the boot of one of Bonney's cars. Sir Victor Bonney was the pioneer of myomectomy, the surgical procedure for removing uterine fibroids. In collaboration with Berkeley, he extended and perfected Wertheim's operation for carcinoma of the cervix. Bonney was an influential teacher, developing and promoting conservatism of surgical technique (minimal intervention) that has had a lasting influence in modern surgical practice. To theatre-sisters, labour-ward sisters and young house-surgeons he will always be remembered as the discoverer of Bonney's Blue an antiseptic that was characteristically blue.Portable, laminated operating table. Plywood rectangular table with two laminated plywood extensions, a head board, and a foot board. At the foot board are insets of canvas straps to support a patient's ankles. Two detachable stirrup poles, each with a canvas strap attached, fit into two holes at the lower end of the table. The table is supported by two timber trellis cross braces with metal bars, and supported at the centre by a metal rod that allows the table to pivot up and down. Two metal arcs with a locking mechanism fix the table at the desired elevation, allowing a Trendelenburg tilt ( a 45 degree tilt, with the patient's head downwards.) The operating table is demountable for transportation and re-assembly.obstetric delivery

These forceps were owned and used by Dr Ronald Rome and Dr Kelvin Churches. Notes suggest that these may be a modified set of Denman-type forceps, as appearance of the outer part of the handles indicate they are an 'adaption' for independent use. (Note from Helen Johnson, 2000).Set of short handled forceps. Both blades of forceps are stamped "Lindsay of London" (for manufacturer) and "R & C" (for Dr Ronald Rome and Dr Kelvin Churches). "R & C" "Lindsay of London"obstetric delivery

Item originally belonged to Professor Bruce Mayes, University of Sydney c1950-65. According to Professor Warren Jones the item had been in a back room of the medical facility and Professor Mayes gave it to Warren Jones, otherwise it may have been thrown out. Warren Jones took it with him to Adelaide where he practiced from 1975.Uterine flushing tube. Consists of dilating, double arms with screw mechanism to widen arms. Stopcock at base, stamped "25" on stem near stopcock.obstetric delivery

Item originally belonged to Professor Bruce Mayes, University of Sydney c1950-65. According to Professor Warren Jones the item had been in a back room of the medical facility and Professor Mayes gave it to Warren Jones, otherwise it may have been thrown out. Warren Jones took it with him to Adelaide where he practiced from 1975. This item may have originally been imported from Germany.Uterine flushing tube, possibly Bozeman-type. Curved metal device in a loose 's' shape, with a bulbous point at one end, just above two circular metal loops which sit either side of main metal stem. Manufacturer is unknown.obstetric delivery

This model came from the Antenatal Clinic at St George's Hospital, Kew. The hospital in Kew was closed in 1998 and the services transferred to Box Hill Hospital. Julie Collette, former General Manager, donated this and other items to the Museum collection in 1998.Teaching model, uterus in cross-section revealing 4 week embryo.Plastic, painted with numbered sections, model on a green plastc stand with "SOMSO" stamped on base, "MADE IN W- GERMANY'stamped underneath base . One of four models in the series, this is the first of the four.education

This model came from the Antenatal Clinic at St George's Hospital, Kew. The hospital in Kew was closed in 1998 and the services transferred to Box Hill Hospital. Julie Collette, former General Manager, donated this and other items to the Museum collection in 1998.Teaching model, uterus in cross-section revealing 8 week embryo.Plastic, painted with numbered sections, model on a green plastc stand with "SOMSO stamped on base, "MADE IN W- GERMANY'stamped underneath base . One of four models in the series, this is the second of the four.education

This model came from the Antenatal Clinic at St George's Hospital, Kew. The hospital in Kew was closed in 1998 and the services transferred to Box Hill Hospital. Julie Collette, former General Manager, donated this and other items to the Museum collection in 1998.Teaching model, uterus in cross-section revealing12 week embryo. Plastic, painted with numbered sections, model on a green plastic stand with "SOMSO" stamped on base, "MADE IN W- GERMANY' stamped underneath base. One of four models in the series, this is the third of the four.education

This model came from the Antenatal Clinic at St George's Hospital, Kew. The hospital in Kew was closed in 1998 and the services transferred to Box Hill Hospital. Julie Collette, former General Manager, donated this and other items to the Museum collection in 1998.Teaching model, uterus in cross-section revealing 20-week embryo. Plastic, painted with numbered sections, model on a green plastic stand with "SOMSO" stamped on base, "MADE IN W- GERMANY" stamped underneath base. One of four models in the series, this is the fourth of the four.education

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Blots's, with ebony handle, cross-hatch paterning. Stamped on handle,left side of joint screw "G.Marriere/ A. Paris". On right of joint screw, another illegible stamp.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Oldham's, metal with ebony handle inserts, Stamped "W & H Hutchinson, Sheffield"perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Oldham's, chrome plated metal. "H" stamped on outer arm, near screw joint."1" stamped on inner arm close to screw joint. Stamped , inner arm, "G.Marrier Paris"perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Barnes forceps, with ebony handle inserts, with cross-hatch patterning. Possibly donated by Dr Frank Forster. Forceps type identified by Bryan Hibbard.Stamped on inner side of left blade near handle "W.SKIDMORE/ SHEFFIELD".forceps, barnes, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Similar to Holmes except with scissors handlesperforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Simpson's, with take off joint. Stamped on arm, "W. (or M) Mathewe' Portland St' London".perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Denman's, with screw joint. Stamped near tips, "Stephen's London".perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Samico's, with screw joint. No manufacturers' stamp.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Denman's, with screw joint. No manufacturer's stamp.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Denmans's, with lift off joint. Manufacturers' stamp "S. Mawson & Thompson London".perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Naegell's, with hinge.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Denman's, small, with screw joint. Manufacturer unknown.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery