These are parts of a vaginal douch apparatus set. The apparatus appears to be a T More-Madden model, as used at the Rotunda Hospital, Ireland.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Black vulcanite bridge attachment (.1) and irrigator (.2). The bridge would attach to the rubber tubing of the set and a lead sinker, The bridge would attach to a stopcock at the proximal end of the set.midwifery

The vaginal syringe, also known as a female syringe, was introduced in the early 1900s and was in use until the late 1940s when it was replaced by the glass douche nozzle. (Thackray, 'Midwifery & Gynaecological Instruments, (M)463, p. 264.)Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993. Vaginal syringe with glass barrel and plunger and a cork bung. Fluid capacity of syringe 60-90 mls. Cotton thread is woven tightly around the end of the plunger. There are five holes in the end of the glass barrel.midwifery

A rubber teat would be attached to the top of this nipple shield for breast feeding. From 1801 onwards, nipple shields were available in a variety of materials, such as pewter, horn, bone, ivory, wood, glass and silver. They varied in shape from a bell to a flatter, cap shaped appliance. With the application of the nipple shield, the baby was able to take milk from the breast without giving added trauma to the nipples. In the ante partum period the nipple shield could be worn to assist in drawing out flat nipples; or, as it was known during this period, in the formation of "new nipples". (Fildes, Valerie. 'Breasts, Bottles & Babies - A History of Infant Feeding', 1986) Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass nipple shield. Shape resembles that of a bell.midwifery, infant feeding

This type of connection could be attached to a hypodermic syringe for blood or fluid collection. This connection could also be used as an attachment to 'cupping' instruments to induce artificial hyperaemia to assist in the draining of abcesses and carbuncles.Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass connection, 2cm in length, with central flange. Proximal (near) end has a rounded ridge for attaching to a syringe. Distal (far) end in plain, for attaching to rubber tubing.midwifery

These breast pumps were also known as breast relievers or breast exhausters. They were a refinement of the much earlier 'sucking glass'. The breast pump was refined during the Victorian age. Glass breast pumps were used to manually express milk for the infant. These pumps were in use from the early 1920s to the late 1960s. They can also be used to stimulate lactation. These pumps were widely used in the 1950s by mothers of premature babies. The milk was expressed by hand in the home, then transported to the hospital to feed the premature infant. Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Glass breast pump. Pump is loosely bell shaped with a glass bowl attached to the side of the bell.infant feeding, midwifery

Cl Anderson (1843-1900) invented his forceps design in 1879, incorporating a finger grip which improved grip and lengthened the handle. This is a modified version of Anderson's design, made by Meyer and Meltzer.Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterSet of modified Anderson style forceps, consisting of two plated metal blades with ebony handles. Each handle has a pointed ebony spur towards the top of the handle for increased grip. Stamped 'MEYER &/MELTZER' on the inside of the handle of both blades.'MEYER &/MELTZER'forceps, obstetrics

The short handles on these forceps were designed to stop excessive force being used.Possibly collected by Dr Frank ForsterSet of Greenhalgh style forceps, consisting of two plated metal blades with ebony handle inserts. Manufacturer's stamp which reads 'W & M/HUTCHINSON/SHEFFIELD' is engraved on the inside of the handle of one blade.'W&M/HUTCHINSON/SHEFFIELD'forceps, obstetrics

These forceps were designed by American James Bradbridge Hunter, c1885.Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster.Set of Hunter style forceps. Consists of two interlocking forcep blades, made of plated metal. The blades are curved and meet at the tip when interlocked. The blades fit around a metal pin. The forceps have a short finger grip style handle which sticks out perpendicular to the blades. There is a 'lock' consisting of a folding metal bar at the base of one blade, and a stepped metal tab at the base of the other blade, to lock the forceps in place. There is an image of a lion engraved just above the interlocking pin on one blade. The number '3' is engraved on the inner edge of each blade. forceps, obstetric

Alexander Russell Simpson, the nephew of James Young Simpson, invented these forceps, which are also known as axis-traction forceps.Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster. Examined and identified by Bryan Hibbard.Set of A.R.Simpson style forceps. Consists of two plated metal forcep blades with ebony handles. The inside of the handle of one blade is engraved with the text 'Left Lower first'. The inside of the handle of the second blade is engraved with the text 'J.GRAY & SON/SHEFFIELD'. The number '12' is engrave on both blades at the point where they interlock. 'Left Lower first' , 'J.GRAY & SON/SHEFFIELD'forceps, obstetrics