This block dates from the period when RACOS was a regional council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).Printer's block, consisting of lead interface attached to a wood block. Block carries the design of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) coat of arms, including the text "SUPER ARDUA" on scroll below shield. Inscription on back of block reads, "J.BIGGS- OBS & GYNAE".printing, rcog

The image at the centre of this plaque is the logo of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG). ACOG was founded in 1951, the date featured on this plaque.Rectangular glass plaque. Centre of plaque features as image of a female figure in a cape, crouching down and holding a baby over her head. The number '1951' in engrave on the plaque to the left of this image. Text encircling this image reads 'THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS/ WOMEN's HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS.'

Standing figurine of an obstetrician holding a baby. The figurine is made of felt, likely with a wire frame. The obstetrician is wearing full linen surgical attire, with white trousers, surgical gown, and surgical cap. The surgical gown has a large pocket at the front, containing a set or forceps. The obstetrician has black, curly hair, blue eyes and is wearing wire framed glasses. The baby is being held at head height, with ankles being held in the left and and the baby's upper legs being held in the right. The obstetrician's head is bent backwards as if the obstetrician is examining the baby's legs or ankles. The baby has curly pink hair.

This medal was struck to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in London in 1929. The RCOG was founded by William Blair-Bell, who is said to have been largely responsible for the design of the College coat of arms and gowns, and to have contributed to the motto "Super Ardua". This medal belonged to Frank Forster.Round silver medal with ring for chain attachment. Front of medal features a raised image of a pair of hands closing protectively around a foetus in utero. Surrounding this image is the inscribed text 'GOLDEN JUBILEE/1929-1979'. Back of medal features an image of the RCOG coat of arms, surrounded by the text 'ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS'. Medal comes with a navy blue, hinged presentation box, lined with cream satin and blue velvet.numismatics, rcog

This Minnitt machine was owned by Dr Mary Clementina DeGaris. Dr DeGaris qualified from medicine, MB BS, at the University of Melbourne in 1905. She continued her studies, becoming only the second woman in Victoria to qualify MD, in 1907. With the outbreak of war, DeGaris attempted to enlist as a doctor with the Australian Army but was refused. Undeterred she travelled to England, where she joined the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, a medical group made up entirely of women. After the war, she returned to Australia and set up practice as an obstetrician in Geelong, Victoria. Subsequently, the Geelong Hospital named a wing after her, "DeGaris House", which is now part of Geelong Private Hospital. DeGaris was awarded the St Saba medal, 3rd class, for her work during WWI. Robert James Minnitt introduced the concept of self-administered analgesia, using an apparatus designed and built in conjunction with London scientific instrument-maker, Charles King. The Minnitt apparatus met with considerable success and led to further modifications, including the introduction of the Queen Charlotte gas-air analgesia apparatus in 1936.Brown leather suitcase with brass locks and leather handle. Inside the case is metal equipment, with arms for attaching cylinders. On top of the case, located underneath the handle, is a small brass plate, bearing the name of the owner in black printed script on a piece of card or paper held inside the plate.Printed in black ink on name plate: Dr Mary C. De Garis.minnitt, geelong, scottish women's hospitals, world war i, obstetrician

Michael Ricker was a renowned American pewter artist. His most famous piece, entitled 'Park City', was a 30 foot by 10 foot miniature town depicting life at the turn of the 19th century. It was completed in 1986 and presented to former President Gerald Ford. Ford graciously accepted the "key" to Park City and promised a home for the masterpiece in the Smithsonian Institute. (foundantique.com)Pewter sculpture featuring an obstetrician and an antenatal patient. A pregnant woman is lying on a low bench, with her left hand resting on her stomach, and her right arm by her side. She is wearing a dress and shoes, and has her eyes closed. To her right stands the figure of on obstetrician, wearing trousers, a short sleeved shirt, stethoscope and gloves. He is standing straight with his arms at his sides. The entire sculpture is silver in colour.obstetrics

These three items give details of the medical qualifications of Dr William Dixon Saltau. Born in Warrnambool, Dr Saltau (1894-1970) was the son of Hon. Marcus Saltau. M.L.C. and Jean Saltau (nee Anton). The Saltau family had been prominent in Warrnambool affairs since Henry Saltau arrived in Warrnambool in the 1870s and founded the business of Saltau and Son – general carriers, coal, wood and produce merchants and forwarding agents. Marcus Saltau was active in Warrnambool community affairs as Mayor, Chairman of the Warrnambool Hospital Board and a long-serving State politician. William Dixon Saltau was educated at Warrnambool Academy and Scotch College and graduated from Melbourne University in 1918. He worked as a doctor in Melbourne and Adelaide hospitals and in England. He was the Medical Superintendent of the Women’s Hospital in Melbourne for 25 years and was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1947. These items are of considerable importance as they are original documents connected to the medical career of Dr William Saltau. He came from a prominent Warrnambool family and had a distinguished medical career. These are three items belonging to Dr William Dixon Saltau:- Item One: Certificate of Dr William Saltau’s admission to the British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – a cream sheet of parchment paper with the stamp of the Royal College and black printed material and three signatures and two ornamental scrolls under the heading. Item Two: Oval cardboard cylinder to hold the certificate. It has one enclosed end and a label on the outside with a British stamp and a typed address. Item Three: A leather bound folder containing 37 pages, 34 of them with details of the medical courses completed at the University of Melbourne by Dr Saltau. The cover has a gold border. Item Three Cover: ‘University of Melbourne Certificates of the Degrees of M.B. & B.S.’saltau family, history of warrnambool, dr william dixon saltau

These forceps were owned and used by obstetrician Dr Beresford Buttery.This style of obstetric forceps represent the only major innovation in forceps design during the 1900s. They were introduced by C. Kielland of Oslo in 1915. The forceps have virtually no pelvic curve. They possess a sliding lock. These innovations allow the head of an incorrectly positioned foetus to be rotated before traction is applied. They were made by instrument maker Downs Surgical in 1979. (Science Museum Group)Forceps, Keilland, obstetric, surgical steel. Owned and used by Beresford Buttery and engraved "Beresford Buttery" on the outer arm.obstetric delivery

This paperweight was created as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada) in 1994.Marble paperweight in the shape of a rounded square. Front of paperweight is engraved with a head and shoulders image of two Inuit figures, possibly a mother a child, wearing one coat between them and peering out of the same hood. The paperweight is signed by the artist at bottom right of front of paperweight. Back of paperweight is engraved with the text 'SOGC/1944-1994'. Bottom right of back of paperweight is signed by the artist, alongside the engraved words 'Quebec/Canada'.

Dr Henry Mitchell O'Sullivan was a medical doctor also practising obstetrics in the district of Casterton, Victoria from 1919 until his death in 1977.The Gladstone bag and contents were used in the inter-war period 1918-1945. His son, the late Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the RANZCOG Museum in 1999.The Gladstone bag was put aside and the contents have remained intact. Consequently, this item is a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals usedby a Victorian country doctor in the inter-war period.An obstetrician's bag belonging to the late Dr Henry Mitchell O'Sullivan (1892-1972) containing various items such as obstetric forceps, destructive instruments, curette, pelvimeter, catheter, speculum, antiseptic, chloroform, iodine, catgut suture, surgical needles and twine for tying off umbilical cord after delivery. dr henry mitchell o'sullivan, casterton victoria, dr david more o'sullivan, inter-war period

This pessary belonged to Dr Olga Bolitho who inherited it from Dame Ella MacKnight. Used by Olga Bolitho once or twice, according to correspondence dated 14/5/00 from Olga Bolitho [held with the donation form] Dame Ella Macknight was an obstetrician and gynaecologist who worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Melbourne. She was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1969 for services to medicine. She gained her MB BS in 1928 from the University of Melbourne. After qualifying as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, (MD, Melb.1931, DGO Melb 1936), she was associated with the Queen Victoria Hospital from 1935-1977. Her appointments included honorary obstetrician and gynaecologist from 1935-1964; vice-president of the Committee of Management for 1963-1971 and president from 1971-1977. She was president of the Council of the Royal College of Gynaecologists from 1970-1972.After her death in 1996, her family set up a post graduate scholarship in her honour with the Royal College of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians.Clear plastic pessary. Pessary is circular, with a wide flange and a short stem. The stem is attached to the flange, rather than the pessary being moulded as one piece. There are two small holes in the flange, either side of the stem.intrauterine device, pessary

André Levret (8 January 1703 in Paris – 22 January 1780) was a French obstetrician who practised medicine in Paris. He was a contemporary of famed English obstetrician William Smellie (1697–1763), and along with Jean-Louis Baudelocque (1745–1810), helped advance the science of obstetrics in 18th century France. Levret is considered by many to be the most influential figure in 18th century French obstetrics. He is known for his work involving breech maneuvers and Caesarean sections. He wrote a number of influential books in the field of obstetrics and attracted students from all over Europe, among them German obstetrician Johann Lukas Boër (1751–1835). He is credited with improving the birth forceps by adding a "pelvic curve" to the instrument. (Wikipedia) Surgical instrument. Instrument consists of two arms, loosely resembling a pair of scissors in shape. The arms are joined by a pin at centre, and each arm has a circular finger grip at top. The end of each arm curves upward and broadens into an elongated teardrop shape, with the end of each arm hollowed out so that only the edges remain. The inner edges of the end of each arm are corrugated for grip. Engraved text on one arm reads 'MAYER&MELTZER.LONDON'.'MAYER&MELTZER.LONDON'

In the 1950s and 60s, Ferguson's bone cutters were used by obstetricians to remove the foreskin during circumcisions. The scoring on the handles is to prevent the tool slipping in the user's grip when in use.Metal bone cutter, with hand grip scoring on outer arms. Similar in appearance to pliers, with short cutting blades.circumcision

This type of string, or twine, was frequently used by obstetricians to tie the umbilical cord after the delivery of a baby. Thicker string was favoured because there was less chance of cutting through the soft cord tissue surrounding the umbilical vein. 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 his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Brown string, possibly made of hemp, in two separate lengths. obstetric delivery

This is a German made figurine, attributed to Jaschke Pretzl. Loosely translated, the label text on the figurine says 'Obstetrician', that the birth was happy, and that the father and child are well. Stamp printed on underside of base says that this is a hand-carved figure.Carved wooden figurine. Depicts a man in a white coat and glasses, with a receding hairline, holding a baby. He is holding the baby's legs in his left hand, and supporting the baby's back and neck with his right hand. The figure is atop a small wooden plinth, one side of which carries handwriting that reads 'Geburtshelfer/Geburt glucklich verlan fen,/Vater und Kind wohlanf!' The underside of the plinth is printed with a stamp that reads 'Handgeschnitzte/ Figur'. There is a third word at the centre of the stamp on the underside of the figurine, but it has faded and is illegible. 'Geburtshelfer/Geburt glucklich verlan fen,/Vater und Kind wohlanf!'/'Handgeschnitzte/ Figur'obstetrics

Ella Macknight was an Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist, who worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Melbourne. She was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1969 for services to medicine. (Wikipedia) Her name has been misspelled on the engraving on this medal.Silver coloured medal with gold coloured decoration on a blue ribbon. The medal is a physical representation of the AOFOG (Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) logo, consisting of a translucent central blue circle (possibly made of glass) surrounded by eight abstract torso figures in alternating gold and silver colours. The base of the torso sits adjacent to the central blue circle, and depicts a figure with its arms raised straight up. The torso neighbour each other around the circumference of the central blue circle to form a circular pattern. The figure at the top of the medal has a silver torso and gold head, and these colours interchange from figure to figure (eg. the figure on either side has a gold torso and silver head). The medal is engraved with the text 'Dame Ella McKnight/FELLOW/OF/AOFOG/1993'. The ribbon has two velcro fastenings. The medal is in a protective case, the outside of which is lined with red velvet. Included in the case is a runsheet printed on paper for the ceremony in which Ella MacKnight was presented with this medal. The ceremony was held at PICC Plenary Hall on 14 November, 1993. The velvet case in stored inside a while, rectangular cardboard box, consisting of two parts - lid and base. Sticker attached to top of the cardboard box reads ' DAME ELLA MCKNIGHT/FELLOW/1993'.Dame Ella McKnight/FELLOW/OF/AOFOG/1993'obstetrics, gynaecology, awards

The pessary was first made of hard rubber then later from vulcanite. A major manufacturer was Allen & Hanburys, London. They were made in six sizes. The pessary was used to support the uterus in cases of prolapse of the uterus or assisted the conditions of relaxation of the vagina and reduction of vaginal hernia. The designer of this pessary was William Morse Graily Hewitt (1828-1893), a British gynaecologist, obstetrician and physician. Vulcanite pessary. The pessary is loosely 'v' shaped, with a thicker section at top and two 'wings'.pessary, intrauterine device

The pessary was first made of hard rubber then later from vulcanite. A major manufacturer was Allen & Hanburys, London. They were made in six sizes. The pessary was used to support the uterus in cases of prolapse of the uterus or assisted the conditions of relaxation of the vagina and reduction of vaginal hernia. The designer of this pessary was William Morse Graily Hewitt (1828-1893), a British gynaecologist, obstetrician and physician.Pessary is made out of black vulcanite. Has two hinged wings with a hole through the centre, and when placed on a flat surface the object forms the shape of a "V".intrauterine device, pessary

This print of Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) was given to the College by Robyn Adams, the daughter of the late obstetrician Gordan Findlay. The portrait was gifted to Dr Findlay when he stated his obstetrical practice in Wellington in 1945. The portrait was then passed to Robyn’s late husband, dermatologist Dr John Adams FRACP FACD, and hung on the wall of his dermatology practice in Wellington until 2014. Sir James Young Simpson was a significant figure in the field of obstetrics. Admitted to the University of Edinburgh at the age of fourteen, he was responsible for introducing the use of chloroform for safe analgesia in childbirth, as well as for the development of an ‘air extractor’ (the forerunner to the modern vacuum extractor) and the creation of obstetric forceps with both long and short handles. Significantly, Simpson’s long handled forceps also became the prototype for many subsequent British designs.Charcoal print in an oval shaped wooden frame. Print features a head and shoulders portrait image of a man, pictured slightly side on with his eyes looking to the left of the viewer. The main is wearing a coat, waistcoat, and a shirt buttoned up to the collar, and has dark coloured hair reaching to his shoulders.anaesthesia

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss donated these items to the College. Metal needle holder. The needle holder's overall shape is that of a teardrop, with a rounded handle section narrowing to serrated grip points at one end. The needle holder appears to be made of a plated metal.obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently donated this item to the College. Small metal uterine catheter. Thin, curved instrument with a brass coloured, bell shaped attachment at one end, curving to a hollow tip at the other end. There is a oval shaped fitting attached to the side of the bell attachment.obstetrics

Black and white Photograph Mundy Street, Bendigo, 1860s Building signs include .Professor LEWIS'S Haircutting and Shampooing Saloon, Lewis's shaving .Three Barber's poles outside the weatherboard shop. Clothes Cleaning & Renovating, Cahill and Associates- Obstetrician, Empire Restaurant, Dining Rooms & Boarding House, J.Lindop's Family Hotel, Allen Reeve glass, paperhanging, oil & color warehouse, John D.Bywater-Hay & Corn Dealer, Fletchers on the corner, Fosdyke Drapers.Reverse has a rubber stamp - Kilmore Historical Society .The street is unmade and no people appear to be in view -Batchelderphotograph, streetscape, bendigo

This instrument was part of a collection of instruments used by Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss used this item in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Dr Kloss is the son-in-law of Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), a doctor who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and Dr Duras came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University.Set of tissue forceps. Made of metal, the forceps resemble long tweezers, with a grip section and a small set of teeth at the end of each arm of the forceps. The proximal end of the forceps is engraved with the word 'Kloss'.'Kloss'obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently had it engraved and used it in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Metal uterine catheter. Thin, curved instrument with two oval shaped fittings attached to the sides of the instrument at the proximal end for grip. There is a seam roughly halfway down the instrument indicating that the halves of the instrument can be separated. One side of the instrument is engraved with the word 'Kloss'.'Kloss'obstetrics

This instrument was part of a collection of instruments used by Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss used this item in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Dr Kloss is the son-in-law of Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), a doctor who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and Dr Duras came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. Metal test tube holding instrument. Instrument resembles a pair of scissors, but with bowed prongs to allow for the grasping of a test tube between the prongs. The tip of each prong is also ridged for grip. The word 'Nickel' is engraved on the inner aspect of one of the prongs.'Nickel'

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently had it engraved and used it in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Metal instrument used for cervical sutures. Instrument consists of a handle and shaft. The end of the shaft is curved so as the tip of the instrument is almost perpendicular to the handle. The end of the shaft is in the shape of a loop to allow for sutures to be passed through it. The handle of the instrument is engraved with the word 'KLOSS'.'KLOSS'obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently had it engraved and used it in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Metal instrument used for cervical sutures. Instrument consists of a handle and shaft. The end of the shaft is curved so as the tip of the instrument is almost perpendicular to the handle. The end of the shaft is in the shape of a loop to allow for sutures to be passed through it. The handle of the instrument is engraved with the word 'KLOSS', and the words 'MAW/LONDON'.'KLOSS' 'MAW/LONDON'obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently had it engraved and used it in his own practice, before donating the item to the College.Metal needle holder. The needle holder's overall shape is that of a teardrop, with a rounded handle section narrowing to serrated grip points at one end. The needle holder appears to be made of a plated metal. There is a clasp at one end for locking the needle holder into place. A rounded tab on the inner aspect of the instrument is engraved with the number '50'. The word 'Kloss' is engraved on one side of the instrument, towards the points.'50' 'Kloss'obstetrics

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently donated the collection to the College, after using many of the instruments in his own practice. Metal uterine catheter. Thin, small, curved instrument in the shape of a narrow tube. There is a lip at one end of the tube, which curves as it reaches a rounded tip at the other end. There are holes in either side of the tube just below the tip. A circular fitting is attached to one side of the instrument for grip, a little below the lip.obstetrics