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

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

College House, the home for the Australian Regional Council of RCOG, was opened at 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne in 1954. It is likely that this gavel was part of a gift to commemorate the occasion. Sir Arthur Gemmell was President of RCOG from 1952 to 1955. He was knighted in 1955.Wooden gavel with case. Gavel and case are both made of oak. Handle of gavel is carved to be 8-sided (octagonal), with a small knob at the proximal end of the gavel handle that is also octagonal. Head of gavel resembles an elongated barrel, with two bands carved into the gavel head on either side of the handle. Case is in the shape of a three-dimensional trapezoid and consists of a lid and base fastened together with two metal hinges. The case has dovetail joins at each corner, and the top of the case is a rectangular relief with a simple borer. Inside of case contains a recess and a stand for resting the gavel into, as well as a circular, concave strike pad for the gavel. A metal plaque is attached to the inside lid of the case which reads 'Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists/Australian Regional Council/Presented by/Arthur A. Gemmell P.R.C.O.G 1954/Made of Oak from the City of London Guildhall'. The word 'BARNSLEY' is engraved in the bottom right hand corner of the inside of the case. 'BARNSLEY'rcog

This is a photograph of Sir Hector Ross MacLennan (1905- 1978). MacLennan, also a Professor, was President of RCOG London from 1963-1966.Framed black and white portrait photograph with wide cream mount. Photograph depicts a smiling man in a dark suit coat, with dark tie, white shirt and white pocket handkerchief. Photo frame is made of dark coloured wood. The bottom right-hand corner of the mount is inscribed 'With best regards/Hector MacLennan'.'With best regards/Hector MacLennan'rcog

Gilbert Innes Strachan (1888-1963) was educated in Glasgow and Bristol. He was a fluent lecturer and a stimulating and dogmatic teacher. Strachan was a founding member of RCOG (London) and served on its Council from 1929- 1955. He was one of the pioneers of the use of radium in treating uterine cancer, receiving a CBE in 1953 for his work in this area. Professor Strachan donated a coat of arms to the Australian RCOG during a visit (pre- 1963). Professor Strachan died at his home in Cathedral Road, London on December 9, 1963, following a short illness. He was 75.Framed black and white photograph. The photograph is a side-on portrait photograph of Professor Gilbert Strachan, a white haired man with steel-rimmed spectacles, a dark suit, and a white shirt. Label on back of frame reads 'Professor Gilbert I Strachan CBE LID'. Frame is made of gold coloured metal and carries a simple wave pattern. The back of the photo is secured by a piece of orange and cream patterned chipboard, held in place by eleven small photograph tacks.Professor Gilbert I Strachan CBE LIDrcog

Sir William Gilliatt was born in 1884 in Lincolnshire. He was educated at Boston Grammar School and Wellingborough College, and began his medical career at the Middlesex Hospital in 1925. He became obstetric and gynaecological surgeon at King's College Hospital, a position he held until his retirement in 1946. Gilliatt was a foundation fellow of RCOG, U.K. and served on the Council from 1932 until his death in 1956. He was also the President of the RCOG from 1946 until 1949. Gilliatt was known to be an excellent clinical teacher and was gynaecologist to the Royal family for two decades. He wrote very little for the medical journals, but his influence on obstetric and gynaecological practice was considerable and his attention to detail was painstaking. He was killed in a motor accident on 27 November 1956.Framed black and white photograph. Photograph is a side-on portrait image of Sir WIlliam Gilliat, who is turning his head to face the camera slightly and is smiling. Photograph is signed 'William Gilliat/April 1951'. An inscription, likely to be the name of the photographer, appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph. The frame is a simple gold coloured metal frame, with a rose decoration in each corner.William Gilliat/April 1951rcog

Dr John Nicholson Chesterman was the Chairman of the Australian Reference Committee, RCOG between 1960 and 1963.Large, colour head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing a white shirt, dark suit and tie, and a black and blue robe with silver trim. The crest of the Australian Council, RCOG is attached to either side of the robe at the chest. An oval shaped medallion is hanging from a short blue ribbon around the man's neck. The man has semi rimless glasses, blue eyes, receding grey hair and is facing the camera, in front of a white background. Photograph is mounted in a card frame. Brass plaque associated with image is engraved with the text 'DR. J.N. CHESTERMAN/Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1960-1963'.

Dr Bruce Toomba Mayes (1903-1996) was the first full-time Chair of Obstetrics at the University of Sydney. Between 1946 and 1947, Mayes was the Chair of the Australian Reference Committee, RCOG. Between 1956 and 1959, Mayes was President of the Australian Regional Council, RCOG.Large, colour head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing a white shirt, dark suit and tie, and a black and blue robe with silver trim. An oval shaped medallion is hanging from a short blue ribbon around the man's neck. The man has short grey hair and is facing the camera, in front of a black background. Photograph is mounted in a card frame. Brass plaque attached to mount is engraved with the text 'DR. B.T.MAYES/Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1956-1960'.

Dr Gordon King (1900-1991) was the Chairman of the Australian Reference Committee, RCOG between 1966 and 1967.Large, colour head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing a white shirt, dark jacket, and blue tie printed with images of the College crest. Over the top of these clothes, the man is wearing a black robe with blue front panels and a silver trim. An oval shaped medallion is hanging from a blue ribbon around the man's neck. The man has black and grey hair and is facing the camera, with tree branches and leaves visible in the background. Photograph is mounted in a card frame. Brass plaque attached to card is engraved with the text 'DR. G. KING/President-Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1966-1967'.

Dame Ella Macknight (1904-1997) was President of the Australian Council, RCOG from 1970-1972. During her term, she commenced discussions with RCOG about Australia breaking away from the Royal College in the UK and becoming a College in their own right. She was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1969 for services to medicine. Outside of medicine she was a talented hockey player and golfer, and was the first woman to be awarded a pilot's license in Victoria. Paul Desmond Fitzgerald AM (1922-2017) was a prolific and highly respected portrait painter of prominent individuals, and was an Archibald Prize finalist on multiple occasions. Oil on canvas painting. Colour portrait of a woman seated in a chair. The subject is wearing a white blouse with a red top, with a pleated black, red, grey and white striped skirt. The subject is wearing a black robe with blue front panels and silver trim. with decorative white buttons at cuffs. The crest of the Australian Council, RCOG is attached to either side of the robe at the chest. The subject has grey hair and is facing the artist with her body angled towards the bottom right-hand corner. The left corner of the subject's lip is curled in a slight smile, and is pictured holding a book in her hands. The subject is pictured against a brown background, with her shadow visible in the right middle background. Signature painted at bottom left corner of portrait reads 'Paul Fitzgerald -1990-'. Brass plaque attached to back of painting frame is engraved with the text 'DAME ELLA MACKNIGHT/ President/AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL, RCOG/1970-1972'.

Dr Stanley Devenish Meares CBE (1906-1994) was the Chairman of the Australian Reference Committee, RCOG between 1968 and 1969.Large, colour portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing a white shirt, dark jacket, and a red tie printed with images of the College crest. Over the top of these clothes, the man is wearing a black robe with blue front panels and a silver trim. The crest of the Australian Council, RCOG is attached to either side of the robe at the chest. An oval shaped medallion is hanging from a short blue ribbon around the man's neck. The man has receding, thin grey hair and is wearing black thick rimmed glasses. He is pictured facing the camera, with his body pointing towards the bottom right hand corner of the image. Photograph has a pink background. Photograph is mounted in a card frame.

This painting was an Archibald Prize Finalist in 1957. Sir Brian Swift was the second Chairman of the Australian Council, RCOG. Swift also fought in World War I, where he started as a lieutenant medical officer before being promoted to Captain. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 'for splendid courage and determination under enemy fire'. He was knighted by the Queen in 1954.Oil on board painting. Portrait painting of a man in a dark suit, wearing a black and blue robe with silver trim. The man has silver hair and a moustache, is wearing glasses, and is seated in a wooden chair, with one arm of the chair visible beneath his left hand. Text at bottom left of painting reads " '58". Text at bottom right of painting reads 'REG CAMPBELL'. Text handwritten in chalk on the back of the artwork reads 'A51/CAMPBELL'. Brass plaque associated with painting is engraved with the text 'SIR BRIAN SWIFT/Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1953-1956'.

Dr Keith Gordon Cockburn (1922-2019) was President of the Australian Council, RCOG from 1978-1979. Paul Desmond Fitzgerald AM (1922-2017) was a prolific and highly respected portrait painter of prominent individuals, and was an Archibald Prize finalist on multiple occasions. Oil on canvas painting. Colour portrait of a man seated in a chair. The subject is wearing a white shirt with a grey pinstripe suit and a dark tie printed with images of the College crest, as well as a medal with a red ribbon on the lapel of their suit. The subject is wearing a black robe with blue front panels and silver trim, with decorative buttons and embroidery visible at both cuffs. The crest of the Australian Council, RCOG is attached to either side of the robe at the chest. The subject has grey hair and is facing the artist with his body angled towards the bottom right-hand corner. The subject is holding a tasseled academic cap in their left hand. The subject is pictured against a patchy brown background. Signature painted at bottom right corner of portrait reads 'Paul Fitzgerald -1990-'.

Foundation Member of the Australian Regional Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Maguire was elected the first Chairman in 1947 and held that office until his death in 1953. In the Cope Papers, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Archives, a student described Maguire as ‘a man of great ability, at times giving the impression that he was brilliant. He had absolute confidence in himself, backed by a strong, well-modulated speaking voice, which made him the outstanding medical orator of his time.’ It was stated by Ian McDonald that ‘Maguire achieved eminence as an anatomist, a teacher and a soldier, as well as a gynaecologist.’ He was also described as ‘a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm and his activities extended to many other spheres beyond the academic and clinical areas of obstetrics and gynaecology.’Oil on canvas head and shoulders portrait of a man in a dark suit, wearing black and blue robes with silver trim. The man has white hair, and is wearing glasses with round lenses. Inscription at bottom left reads 'Stanley Ballard '77/FROM A PHOTOGRAPH OF A PREVIOUS PORTRAIT'. Brass plaque attached to back of frames is engraved with the text 'DR. F.A. MAGUIRE/First Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1947-153'. Handwritten inscription on back of canvas next to plaque reads 'STANLEY/BALLARD/80'.

Dr Ian Alexander McDonald (1922-1990) was President of the Australian Council, RCOG from 1972-1975. Developed a technique known as the McDonald Suture for obstetric surgery. Paul Desmond Fitzgerald AM (1922-2017) was a prolific and highly respected portrait painter of prominent individuals, and was an Archibald Prize finalist on multiple occasions. The chalk markings on the back of this canvas indicate that the canvas may have formed part of the Archibald Prize competition. Oil on canvas painting. Colour portrait of a man seated in a chair. The subject is wearing a white shirt with a black suit and a blue tie. The subject is wearing a black robe with blue front panels and silver trim, with decorative buttons and embroidery visible at left cuff and a tassel visible at right cuff. The crest of the Australian Council, RCOG is attached to either side of the robe at the chest. The subject has black hair, mixed with grey, and is facing the artist with his body angled towards the bottom left-hand corner. The armrest of a chair is visible beneath the subject's left hand. The subject is pictured against a landscape, with a dark sky and treetops visible in the upper section of the photo, and the corner of a white building (College House) pictured behind the subject's right arm. Signature painted at bottom left corner of portrait reads 'Paul Fitzgerald -1992-'. Chalk markings handwritten on the back of the canvas read 'A 91/ANSETT'.

Dr Lionel Pelham Sapsford was a RCOG and RANZCOG member This rectal thermometer is in a cardboard protective case which seems to be the way that it was shipped to Dr Lionel Pelham Sapsford. There is a second protective case which is metal and protects the glass thermometer itself. The glass thermometer has markings on it to indicate temperature and has some yellow from discolouration and aging. Lines on thermometer of where temperature was. On the cardboard exterior there is red handwriting which says "KEEP" multiple times.

Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. A collection of objects found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers were transferred from the Archives to the Museum collections in January 1994.A round metal badge with a green enamelled rim. There is a shield in the centre which is divided into three. In the left hand comer there is a flag, in the right hand comer the medical insignia, and at the bottom of the shield there is a sailing ship. The year 1938 is either side of a central white enamelled plug with the number "106" on it. Attached to the badge is a green grosgrain ribbon, to which is attached an oblong bar with a pin at the back. Inscriptions Around the edge of the badge: "THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PLYMOUTH"; inscribed on the back of the badge: "BRUFORD, EASTBOURNE AND EXETER"; front lower right hand side ofbadge:"M & W"; front of bar: "PRESIDENT/ GYNAECOLOGY and OBSTETRICS"numismatics, browne fj, rcog

This is an image of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. Established as the Dublin Lying-In Hospital in 1745, it moved to its current location in 1757 and remains there to this day. This image was first published in Malton's 'A Picturesque and Descriptive view of the City of Dublin' in 1791.This print has a colour engraving of a white building with a red roof. A tower, topped by a dome, rises above the middle of the building. There are four decorative columns on the front of the building, and the entrance to the building is surrounded by a metal fence. There are various figures in the foreground of the image. On the left, there is a well-dressed family group consisting of three adults and a child. At left of centre, a figure is riding a horse, which is being preceded by a dog. At the centre, in the middle background, there is one tall and one short figure standing next to the metal fence surrounding the building and they are peering inside. At right of centre, a figure is driving a two-horse buggy. On the far right, the shadowed figure of a beggar is holding out their cap. There is a smaller building to the left-hand side of the featured building, and additional buildings are visible in the right-side background. Clouds are visible behind the buildings. Text below image reads 'Lying in Hospital'. The print is mounted and framed in a black wooden frame with gold trim. A display label for this print is attached to the back of the frame. Handwritten inscriptions on the back of the frame of the artwork read 'Rotunda Lying in Hospital/Dublin // 19th British Congress RCOG 1971' and 'Original engraving/James Malton. London,/December 1795.' There is a sticker attached to the bottom right of the back of the frame featuring a printed image of a stork in read and the text 'FRIENDS OF THE ROTUNDA HOSPITAL'. There are two hooks and a wire attached to the back of the frame for hanging.The print is mounted and framed in a black wooden frame with gold trim. A display label for this print is attached to the back of the frame. Handwritten inscriptions on the back of the frame of the artwork read 'Rotunda Lying in Hospital/Dublin // 19th British Congress RCOG 1971' and 'Original engraving/James Malton. London,/December 1795.' There is a sticker attached to the bottom right of the back of the frame featuring a printed image of a stork in read and the text 'FRIENDS OF THE ROTUNDA HOSPITAL'. There are two hooks and a wire attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

Dr Margaret Alison Mackie travelled overseas in 1959, for both work-related and recreational purposes. The diary details her impressions of hospitals she visited (sometimes with sketches), her thoughts on the RCOG Congress, and general accounts of her travels. Both Dr Mackie and her sister, Isobel, were keen diarists. Dr Margaret Alison Mackie (1910-1991) was in active practice between 1936 and 1970. She was a Fellow of the College, and was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to medicine in 1975. Blue leatherbound travel diary. Printed text on the front cover of the diary reads 'Travel Diary/WITH COMPLIMENTS/EDWARDS DUNLOP/AND COMPANY LIMITED'. Diary is filled with handwriting detailing the activities of the diarist during 1959.

Dr Lloyd Woodrow Cox (1919-2001) was the inaugural President of the Royal Australian College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1978-1979. He had previously been President of the Australian Council, RCOG from 1975-1978. Robert Lyall "Alfie" Hannaford AM is an Australian realist artist notable for his drawings, paintings, portraits and sculptures. (Wikipedia) Oil on board painting. Colour portrait of a man seated in a chair. The subject is wearing a white shirt with a black suit and a blue tie which bears a yellow stripe and crest. The subject is wearing a dark blue robe with light blue front panels and yellow trim, with decorative buttons and embroidery visible at both cuffs. The subject has receding white hair and is facing the artist, with his body facing forward and his hands folded in his lap. The subject is pictured against a brown background, wtih shadowing at bottom right hand corner. Signature painted at bottom right corner of portrait reads 'HANNAFORD 88'. Brass plaque attached to back of board is engraved with the text 'PROFESSOR L.W. COX/PRESIDENT/SEPT 1978- AUG 1979'.

Donated by Professor Harold Attwood, University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine in 1963, originally from the Edward Rowden White Estate.Sir Edward Rowden (1884-1958) was a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Regional Council of RCOG and was the first Chairman of the Arthur Wilson Foundation, and created with his brother the EA Rowden White and Edward R White Foundation for Medical Research at the Royal Women's Hospital in 1955.Cervical dilation Instrument set, seven graduated dilators, black plastic with string attached, a tennaculum, 2x handled instruments for attachment and a surgical retractor in a metal box. [See page 498 George Tiemann catalogue, similar],cervical dilation, edward rowden white professor harold atwood

Captain Sir William Alexander Dargie CBE (4 June 1912 – 26 July 2003) was a renowned Australian painter, known especially for his portrait paintings. He won the Archibald Prize, Australia's premier award for portrait artists on eight separate occasions; a record held since 1952. (Wikipedia) Dr Sydney Lance Townsend (1913-1983) was appointed the University of Melbourne's first Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1951. During his quarter of a century tenure of the chair, Professor Townsend oversaw tremendous growth in the clinical services, undergraduate and postgraduate education and research in Obstetrics and Gynaecolology at the Royal Women's Hospital and was a major national and international figure in the field over this period. In recognition of his contribution, which included the establishment of a second University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and which was located at the Mercy Hospital for Women under the direction of his protégé, Professor Norman Beischer, Professor Townsend was knighted for his services to Obstetrics and Gynaecology. (Melbourne Medical School - History) Oil on canvas painting. Colour portrait of a man seated in a chair. The man is wearing a white shirt, dark suit, and blue bowtie, beneath a dark blue robe. The robe has light blue front panels and gold trim, with decorative buttons and gold stripes at the cuffs. The man has grey receding hair, dark rimmed glasses, and is facing the artist with his body angled towards the bottom right-hand corner. He is pictured against a dark grey background, with the corner of a bench or chair visible next to his left elbow. Signature painted at bottom left corner of portrait reads 'Dargie.' Brass plaque attached to back of painting frame is engraved with the text 'PROFESSOR S.L. TOWNSEND/ President - Chairman/AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, RCOG/1963-1966'.

Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]Palmer's diathermy forceps. It has two pronds for grasping that retracts with a screw mechanism. Purchased by Geoff Bishop as an additional part of original laparoscopy set, also included in this accession 1999005.laparoscopy, tubal ligation, infertility investigation

Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]This Spackman's cannula was used by Dr Geoff Bishop during gynaecological laparscopioc surgery.He used this decice as a uterine elevator. Also, for testing tubal patency by inserting dye through it. Manufacturers stamp: ANAX.laparoscopy, tubal ligation, infertility investigation

Part of a set of laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honorary curator.] This object was used by Dr Geoff Bishop during gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. This instrument is commonly used for suction. It is also used for testing tubal patency by inserting dye through it. Cannula. Consists of a slender shaft with fittings at each end. There are two points for tubal attachments at one end, set into separate small metal tubes at ninety degrees to each other. At the other end, there is a bell cap enclosing a curved nozzle. The nozzle is punctured with six small holes. Manufacturers stamp on plate near the attachment points reads 'PRECIOUS'.infertility, gynaecology

This douche, with the manufacturers object description of "heisswasserspulungen" which translates as healing water douche, came from the Edward Rowden White Estate. The heisswasserpular designed by Dr Walzer-Frank was used as a vaginal douche by attaching a rubber hose to the glass connector which was then inserted into the vagina. Acquired from Dr Harold Attwood, the Curator of the Medical History Unit, University of Melbourne, 2 April 1996. In a letter to Geoff Bishop ... " I think they are best held in your collection rather than here." (see accession file)Transferred from the collection of the Medical Unit (Brownless Medical Museum) University of Melbourne, from the Sir Edward Rowden White Estate. Sir Edward (1884-1958) was a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Regional Council of RCOG and was the first Chairman of the Arthur Wilson Foundation, and created (with his brother) the EA Rowden White and Edward R White Foundation for Medical Research at the Royal Women's Hospital in 1955. Black bakelite bulb with glass douche nozzle and irrigator connections at each end. Stored in original box. Handwritten in blue pencil on side of box: "Vaginal Douche".vaginal irrigation

Dr Lionel Pelham Sapsford was a RCOG and RANZCOG Member whose wife donated these. The item is in a cardboard rectangle box with some writing on the front of the box. Inside of the box are seven wooden peg like items which are all connected by a string. The seven wooden pegs are hollow, and the top of the pegs have two holes in them which the string is threaded through. On the front of the cardboard box it says that the Sea Tangle Tents are "for dilating the OS and CERVIX UTERI" and in smaller writing underneath says "introduced by SIR JAMES SIMPSON, M.D". The box lists four of the "SPECIAL ADVANTAGES", for example "Firstly - They are always cheaper in price than Sponge Tents". Underneath this writing highlights a lecture by Professor Simpson about the item "at the Obstetrical Society of Edinburgh - See Edinburgh Medical Journal for July 1864". Below this has a sticker which says "HOLLOW".

This piece is made of a stone called greenstone in New Zealand English, known as pounamu in Maori. Stone carving. The carving is made of green stone, and depicts a figure with both hands on its thighs and a head tilted to one side, with big eyes.