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

William Smellie’s straight forceps are one of the most significant pairs of forceps in the Museum collection. William Smellie (1697– 1763), designed these forceps, which were an improvement on the forceps of that time. These forceps were easier to use being shorter and lighter, particularly in the handles, with pelvic curve shaped blades. He invented a locking device for the two blades. The blades were lined with leather and greased with hog’s lard for the ease of delivery and the greater comfort of the patient, this being in the era prior to an understanding of sepsis and the need for surgical hygiene.Smellie was groundbreaking in his understanding of Childbirth and became an influential teacher of Obstetrics. He diligently studied the birthing process, particularly the descent of the baby’s head down the birth canal. His observations lead to him noting that many deaths occurred because of a lack of understanding of this process and the inappropriate handling of forceps. Smellie is generally given the credit for improving the forceps to make them easier to use and less likely to damage the baby. Smellie’s "Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery" was published In 1751 and became a widely influential teaching resource. Copies of this birth atlas are held in the Frank Forster Library, RANZCOG. Smellie's obstetric forceps. Iron forceps with traces of leather on the two blades. The blades touch at the tips when the blades are fully closed. The handles have a metal sheet coating and would also have been covered in leather originally. There is a notch at the centre to lock the blades in place. Noneobstetric delivery, william smellie

Ivan Magill (1888-1986) designer, this piece was designed in 1926 along with other anaesthetic equipment.Chrome plated straight complete Magill laryngoscope in medium size format, with attached light bulb. Cylindrical handle for battery deposit and with a wavy hand grip for easy handling. Serrated and screwed lids on top and base of the handle grip for insertion of batteries and checking of electrical contact stud. The handle also has a metallic switch without any instruction of use. The arm of the handle has a detachable screw to adjust extendable blade position and firmness. The light bulb is attached to a metallic tube connector to the handle arm which is just pressed to the contact point base. The blade has a oxidation spot under the blade. The piece in full has several scratches marks mostly founded in handle, arm and top blade areas. Two stamped inscriptions are present on the arm area, the manufacturer name and register number.Stamped on the arm of the handle lateral side, A.CHARLES KING Stamped on the arm of the handle opposite lateral side, REG. NO. 74901[9]magill, a. charles king ltd, regi. no. 749019, switch, laryngoscope