As steam sterilisation became standard practice various types of sterilisers evolved. Water in the steriliser was heated to boiling point either by gas or by methylated spirit burners. Item may have been used by nursing staff at the Alfred Hospital on wards or school of nursing.The more instruments that could be sterilised the better the patient outcomes. These portable sterilisers greatly improved access to sterile equipment. Item may have been used by nursing staff at the Alfred Hospital on wards or school of nursing.Monemetal sterilizer containing a perforated tray on which instruments were placed. Item has two handles and four legs attached with rivets. Item is in 3 parts and can be taken apart.Each part has "176.07" in texta markingearly steam steriliser, ahnl, medical equiptment, alfred hospital