J. Austen chrome plated tongue depressor blade only. Size 2 1/4, stainless steel material. The top arm of the instrument has a serrated grip below to facilitate tongue adherence, also has a middle space canal with semi circular welded rings to possibly introduce or attach an anaesthetic tube. This piece has in its internal lateral side engraved the possible owner's initial and last name. Minor scratches and dust marks are present over the piece as well as oxidation spots around engraved name. Weld spots in metallic semi circles edges on top of the piece.Engraved at the internal side of the handle, V. BRAND Stamped at the external side of the handle, J.AUSTEN / 2 1/4 / STAINLESStongue depressor, medical instruments, airway instruments, j. austen

The advent of anaesthesia posed immediate problems for the oral surgeons and dentists who were used to operating on awake patients with intact airway reflexes. Early anaesthetics were very light and often created an uncooperative patient. Dentists were quick to complain they had trouble opening the mouth quickly enough and dental props soon made an appearance. Gags and tongue depressors proliferated, all initially devised to improve surgical and anaesthetic access, not to protect the airway. Other instruments for opening the jaws included the somewhat fearsome devices known as mouth openers. Heister's mouth opener was incorporated in anaesthetic practice but was not designed for this purpose. Lorenz Heister (1983 - 1758) used his device for mouth inspection and for operations on the palate, tonsils and teeth in the pre-anaesthesia era. He was not impressed with the way it was used by others in his life time and believed that it overstretched the jaw when used inappropriately. Despite its apparent brutality, the Heister mouth gag was still advertised for sale in 1983 and its useful mechanism has been incorporated into modern surgical retractors.Steel cork-screw shaped object with a twist top handle which will force the two arms apart. Each arm has ribbing toward the end to create friction when inserted in the mouth.Stamped into the twist top handle: MAYER & MELTZERheister, mouth gag, mouth opener

The advent of anaesthesia posed immediate problems for the oral surgeons and dentists who were used to operating on awake patients with intact airway reflexes. Early anaesthetics were very light and often created an uncooperative patient. Dentists were quick to complain they had trouble opening the mouth quickly enough and dental props soon made an appearance. Gags and tongue depressors proliferated, all initially devised to improve surgical and anaesthetic access, not to protect the airway. Other instruments for opening the jaws included the somewhat fearsome devices known as mouth openers. Heister's mouth opener was incorporated in anaesthetic practice but was not designed for this purpose. Lorenz Heister (1983 - 1758) used his device for mouth inspection and for operations on the palate, tonsils and teeth in the pre-anaesthesia era. He was not impressed with the way it was used by others in his life time and believed that it overstretched the jaw when used inappropriately. Despite its apparent brutality, the Heister mouth gag was still advertised for sale in 1983 and its useful mechanism has been incorporated into modern surgical retractors. This Heister heavy patterned mouth opener was acquired from an Italian Army medical unit at Tobruk in 1941 and donated to the museum in 1946.Scissor-like metal device with a screw mechanism at the top which allows for the open or closed position to be locked.heister, lorenz, mouth opener, gag, heavy patterned

An instrument designed to remove swallowed foreign objects. The end containing horsehair is pushed past a foreign body in the oesophagus then expanded and withdrawn, bringing the foreign body with it. This probang is constructed from metal and horsehair. The metal is coiled to enable flexibility and the proximal end has a metal finger grip for support. The distal end comprises a smooth metal tip and the strands of horsehair are designed to scoop strands of foreign material from the patient's pharynx.anaesthesia, probang, oral, horsehair, lidcome state hospital, dr sharkey, obstruction, airway

Until suction became available in the 1930s, maintenance of a clear airway during oral and nasal surgery relied on posturing of the patient, mopping with sponges or the temporary placement of swabs or throat guards. Removal of surgical debris such as polyps, blood clots or foreign bodies could only be effected by the finger or devices such as probangs. The Probang is inserted blind (perhaps guided by a finger), the main shaft can then be held in the left hand whilst the right hand withdraws the inner tube. This results in a fanning out of the linear strands which are visible proximal to the tip. Held in this position the instrument is withdrawn and is supposed to scoop out the offending mass. Long flexible metal rod covered in gum resin sheath with a ring grip at the proximal end and a smooth metal rounded edge tip for insertion into the airway for clearing of obstructive matter.Stamped onto gum resin sheath: MADE FOR / CARL ZOELLER BRISBANE / GERMANY Stamped onto gum resin sheath in gold leaf: [indecipherable - presumably manufacturer's label]probang, flexible, oral, airway, horsehair, anaesthesia, obstruction, dr sharkey, lidcombe state hospital

A mouth gag was used when required to assist in the administration of anaesthesia to a patient. It is used to keep the patient's mouth open, and could also be used for oral surgery or airway management. This particular mouth gag is known as a Doyen's type.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 the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Stainless steel mouth gag. Design of item resembles a pair of scissors, but with a foot at the end of each blade and a ratchet attached to keep the device open.anaesthesia

This bite block was used to prevent patients under anaesthesia or sedation from involuntarily biting down. This protected the patient’s teeth and tongue, while also shielding vital instruments like endotracheal tubes from damage during procedures. The device narrows in the centre to rest securely between the molars, with a beaded metal chain and loop designed to prevent it from slipping too far into the throat — a simple yet essential feature in an era before digital monitoring. Allen & Hanburys Ltd., a prominent British pharmaceutical company, was known for producing surgical and dental instruments throughout the 20th century. Their bite blocks were part of a broader evolution of airway management tools that prioritised safety, hygiene, and patient comfort. Black hard rubber tubular bite block with red rubber ends. Block narrows in the centre where there is attached a metal beaded chain ending in a circular loop for securing and preventing from losing down the patient's throat. medical device, anaesthesia, bite block

This bite block was used to prevent patients under anaesthesia or sedation from involuntarily biting down. This protected the patient’s teeth and tongue, while also shielding vital instruments like endotracheal tubes from damage during procedures. The device narrows in the centre to rest securely between the molars, with a beaded metal chain and loop designed to prevent it from slipping too far into the throat — a simple yet essential feature in an era before digital monitoring. Allen & Hanburys Ltd., a prominent British pharmaceutical company, was known for producing surgical and dental instruments throughout the 20th century. Their bite blocks were part of a broader evolution of airway management tools that prioritised safety, hygiene, and patient comfort.Black hard rubber tubular bite block with red rubber ends. Block narrows in the centre where there is attached a metal beaded chain ending in a circular loop for securing and preventing from losing down the patient's throat.medical device, anaesthesia, bite block

This bite block was used to prevent patients under anaesthesia or sedation from involuntarily biting down. This protected the patient’s teeth and tongue, while also shielding vital instruments like endotracheal tubes from damage during procedures. The device narrows in the centre to rest securely between the molars, with a beaded metal chain and loop designed to prevent it from slipping too far into the throat — a simple yet essential feature in an era before digital monitoring. Allen & Hanburys Ltd., a prominent British pharmaceutical company, was known for producing surgical and dental instruments throughout the 20th century. Their bite blocks were part of a broader evolution of airway management tools that prioritised safety, hygiene, and patient comfort.Black hard rubber tubular bite block with red rubber ends. Block narrows in the centre where there is attached a metal beaded chain ending in a circular loop for securing and preventing from losing down the patient's throat.medical device, anaesthesia, bite block