Pointing bones were ritualistically used by sorcerers for magic. The 'magic' and 'sorcery' from 'pointing the bone' can involve the ritual removal of organs from the body, done when a person is asleep, and then put back into the person unknowingly. In this way a person can be 'sung' but will be unaware of it. This pointing bone was originally given to Sir Wilfred Fish, FRCS, who was a Kings Surgeon and had been giving lectures in Sydney in the 1920s on his specialty, maxillofacial surgery. His daughter, Mrs Vivian Greaves, gave this item to Sir Keith Drayton some years later. Pointing bone, from Central Australia. The object is a carved macropod fibula. At one end there is a blob of resin and an attachment of human hair in a string. At the other end, the bone has been sharpened to a point.

This item came from Geoff Bishop's rooms at Mollison House, 386 Albert Street, East Melbourne. Distributed by Ethnor P/L Sydney, these bulk purchase packs pre-dated the individually sterile packaged products with disposable applicators.Two white, plastic Lippes Loop IUDs [.1 and .2], with yellow string attached to one end of each. Double S-shape intrauterine devices. Also includes "LIPPES LOOP" product information label [.3], and a clear hinged plastic case with adhesive sticker [.4].intrauterine device, contraception

This item came from Geoff Bishop's rooms at Mollison House, 386 Albert Street, East Melbourne. Distributed by Ethnor P/L Sydney, these bulk purchase packs pre-dated the individually sterile packaged products with disposable applicators.Ten Lippes Loop IUDs [29.1-29.10], Size B. Made of white plastic with black threads attached at one end of each. Double S shape intrauterine device. With clear plastic bag [.11], clear plastic hinged container [.12] and paper product information sheet [.13].intrauterine device, contraception

Perforated canister was used for the intravaginal application of perfumes and medical creams. Very similar to a vaginal douche pipe.A black bakelite cone shaped instrument with perforations.irrigation

The Inhiband intrauterine device is a variety of the Grafenberg Ring. The Grafenberg ring was developed by Dr Ernst Grafenberg in the late 1920s. This coincided with the beginnings of the modern birth control movement. Grafenberg and Herbert Hall migrated to the USA during the Hitler era and brought with them the knowledge of the intrauterine ring. Herbert Hall developed a stainless steel version of the Grafenberg ring in 1949 and used it with select private patients in New York. A report on his results was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1962. The Inhiband product bears his name in brackets. The dispensing box and five remaining containers with Inhiband IUDs inside were from the Albert Street East Melbourne rooms of Dr Geoffrey Bishop. This contraceptive device was commonly used in the 1960s-early 1970s.White plastic container with clear plastic hinged lid and white plastic insert with slots for 10 individual containers of Inhiband IUDs. Contains five individual white plastic containers which hold Inhiband IUDs. The five intrauterine devices resemble a metal ring in design and are unused and still in their packaging. contraceptive, intrauterine device

From the Albert Street East Melbourne rooms of Dr Geoffrey Bishop. The contraceptive device was commonly used in the 1960s-early 1970s.Container, plastic, containing Inhiband (Hall) intrauterine device in a sealed clear plastic bag [registration 30.3].contraceptive, iud

Uterine dilator, with a measurement dial and screw. The screw is at the top of handle and is used to activate the dilator. There is a number inscribed on the handle. There is a small metal attachment below the dial at an approximately 45 degree angle. The attachment has a flange, and in a fixture for fitting rubber tubing and a douche to the dilator.

Enema syringe for infants. Consists of red rubber bulb attached to a white bone flange attachment.

Metal talcum powder tin. Front of the tin features a colour image of some violets, inset in a circle, surrounded by the text 'PEARS'S/ VIOLET POWDER/ BEST QUALITY & DELICATELY PERFUMED' . Additional text printed on tin reads 'A. & F. PEARS LTD. SYDNEY'.

Unopened tin of talcum powder. Top of tin carries an image of a nurse with a baby on their knee. Tin label is entitled 'PEARS' PRECIPITATED FULLER EARTH'. The tin has a paper seal with a string - the string is pulled to break the seal.

This stethoscope , or auriscope, came from the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital in 1958 when the maternity unit was transferred to the new City Hospital. Dr Walker in his correspondence states: "The foetal auriscope is from the days of modesty, came from the Royal Devon & Exter Hospital in 1958, when its maternity ward transferred to the new City Hospital and storage for memorabilia was unavailable." This item is similar to Stoke's stethoscope, or Barclay's stethoscope, as illustrated in Tiemann's catalogue of 1899. The stem of this stethoscope is, however, much longer than either of these. The stethoscope came with a letter written to Dr Walker's maternal grandfather by Dr. James Young Simpson. This letter was transferred to the RANZCOG Archives following conservation treatment by the Conservation Centre.A lightweight wooden stethoscope with long stem and a black ebony bell on one end. The bell is almost flat. 37.5 cms in length.infant care

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

"Potential blockage in the Fallopian tubes was assessed using this apparatus. It was developed by American gynaecologist Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958). It blows carbon dioxide, via a cannula, into the uterus. The ease with which gas escaped through the Fallopian tubes was reflected by pressure changes on an instrument called a manometer. Blockage of the tubes is often due to previous infection or surgery. It is a common cause of infertility. Rubin’s test formed a standard part of infertility investigations for many years. It was gradually replaced by an X-ray technique involving radio-opaque ‘dye’ injected into the uterus." Source: Science Museum Group. Rubin’s apparatus for uterotubal insufflation, New York, United States, 1928. A639503Science Museum Group Collection Online. Accessed 12 June 2024. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co96774/rubins-apparatus-for-uterotubal-insufflation-new-york-united-states-1928-tubal-insufflator. There is no manometer to monitor gas pressure on this model so it is either incomplete or a manometer was not available in this possibly early model. This device may be dated c1919, 1920s, or 1930s. 1919 was the year Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958) introduced this apparatus. Rubin's tubal insufflator apparatus. Consists of a large cylindrical glass canister, with three glass nozzles at top with long rubber tubing attached to each. The device is inside a portable plywood box with two door. One surgical steel introducer, and one glass introducer, are also attached to the device.

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

"Potential blockage in the Fallopian tubes was assessed using this apparatus. It was developed by American gynaecologist Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958). It blows carbon dioxide, via a cannula, into the uterus. The ease with which gas escaped through the Fallopian tubes was reflected by pressure changes on an instrument called a manometer. Blockage of the tubes is often due to previous infection or surgery. It is a common cause of infertility. Rubin’s test formed a standard part of infertility investigations for many years. It was gradually replaced by an X-ray technique involving radio-opaque ‘dye’ injected into the uterus." Source: Science Museum Group. Rubin’s apparatus for uterotubal insufflation, New York, United States, 1928. A639503Science Museum Group Collection Online. Accessed 12 June 2024. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co96774/rubins-apparatus-for-uterotubal-insufflation-new-york-united-states-1928-tubal-insufflator. Model may be dated c1919 or 1920s or 1930s. 1919 was the year Isidor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958) introduced the apparatus. Instrumant has a label with Cyrus Jones monogram " Donated by Dr Lorna Lloyd Green, 1986/ Rubin's Insufflator/ NB "sparklet holder separate" missing?Rubin's tubal insufflator apparatus, large cylidrical glass canister inside a portable carry box with two doors with three glass nozzels at top with long rubber tubing attached on each. One surigical steel introducer, one glass introducer attached. A blood pressure manometer is fixed on the inside door. infertility

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

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Simpson's, with external screw joint and hinge. Manufacturer unknown.Stamped on inner arms "13' and, the other arm, "13+" .perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery