Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Wathern's. No manufacturer's stamp.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Goodell's, stamped inside the blades '23". Manufacturers unknown.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Goodell's, stamped inside the blades '23". Manufacturers unknown.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Palmer's. Broken handle lever. illustrated in Tiemann, George The American Armaterium, page 503.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Gardner's, stamped on blade "HIGHEST STAND...(ard). Worn away- This item must have had great usage.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

On Loan from the Otago Medical School Alumnus Association as of 18 March 2013.This loan was arranged by Dr Richard Seddon. Initially the instrument was to be donated to RANZCOG, however the Alumnus association decided on long term loan instead.Bossi's uterine dilator, for rapid dilation, four blade, manufacturer, Meyer & Meltzer, London. Stamped Meyer & Meltzer, London on central body of the instrument. Otago Medical School registration number "�M 06.18" on central body near the screw mechanism,uterine dilation

Mostl likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.Uterine dilator, Goodell's, stamped inside the blades '22". Manufacturers logo stamped on near netral screw joint, Medical symbol, serpent entwined around a sword with crown on top.uterine device, dilation, forster, frank

Used for probing a woman's uterus through the cervix, to measure the length and direction of the cervical canal and uterus. Dilators are primarily used to open and dilate the cervix to gain access to the uterine cavity but can also be used as sounds. This device was included with other obstetric instruments, mostly destructive instruments, given to RANZCOG from Box Hill Hospital labour ward in February- March 1998. The maternity service at Box Hill Hospital combined with St George's Hospital in Kew to be known as Birralee Maternity Service. These instruments were collected by Julie Collette, Unit Manager, St George's Kew and given to RANZCOG Museum Curator, Susan Barnett.Three bladed Sims uterine dilator, consisting of upper blade, lower blade, bridge, and wingnut. Blades are polished stainless steel with matte steel handles. Upper surface inscribed, (trademark) MADE IN GERMANY INOXIDABLE", "21"."21"box hill hospital

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.

Alfred Dührssen (23 March 1862 – 11 October 1933) was a German gynecologist and obstetrician born in Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, at the time part of Denmark. He studied medicine at the University of Marburg, as well as the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Akademie für das militärärztliche Bildungswesen (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Academy for Military Physicians). In 1886, he became an obstetrical assistant to Adolf Gusserow (1836-1906) in Berlin, and in 1888 he began work as a lecturer at the University of Berlin. In 1892 he opened a private clinic for obstetrics and gynecological diseases. Dührssen was a prominent figure in modern German gynecology, being remembered for his pioneer work in surgical practices such as vaginal Caesarean section (vaginalen Kaiserschnitt). He was an advocate of institutional births for all pregnancies, and proposed that pregnant women undergo screening processes to uncover possible difficulties prior to giving birth. (Wikipedia) Metal uterine dilator consisting of a handle, a short shaft, and eight prongs. The prongs each have a bump/curve in the prong towards the top, to allow them to bend around the shaft of the instrument and meet at their tips. There is a second 'bump' in the prongs just before the tips. The tip of each prong has five ridges to assist with grip. The handle of the device is a flat, rounded handle, which is turned to open the prongs and set them at various degrees of diameter. There is a gauge on the shaft of the instrument which ranges from 0-12, showing the current setting of the instrument. There is also a pin and T-shaped slot arrangement located just above the start of the prongs, which has been engraved '8' on the left hand side, and '1' on the right hand side. Each prong is also engraved with a number at the base of the prong, reading '1' to '8'. gynaecology

Part of the collection of Dr Frank Forster. The philosophy of this object was to keep the uterus dilated. It was commonly believed at this time that the cervix was the cause of dysmenorrhoea. The stem pessary was an object used to rectify uterine displacements - either anteversion or retroversion. The device consisted of a stem which is introduced into the uterus, the stem was then attached to an ovoid flange or ball, on which the cervix uteri then rested. Connected to this flange was an external part or wire frame, which in turn was attached at one extremity to a flat tubular portion, passing into the vagina. This was then fixed to the intrauterine portion. The wire frame was then made to press on to the pubis, so that the pessary could be kept in position in utero.Pessary, Duke's stem design. Metal pessary with hollow stem, and a rounded flange at one end. The flange has eight small holes surrounding the central hole. The stem is flexible and is made from coiled metal which has then been attached (perhaps by soldering) to the flange.pessary, intrauterine device

Part of the collection of Dr Frank Forster. The philosophy of this object was to keep the uterus dilated. It was commonly believed at this time that the cervix was the cause of dysmenorrhoea. The stem pessary was an object used to rectify uterine displacements - either anteversion or retroversion. The device consisted of a stem which is introduced into the uterus, the stem was then attached to an ovoid flange or ball, on which the cervix uteri then rested. Connected to this flange was an external part or wire frame, which in turn was attached at one extremity to a flat tubular portion, passing into the vagina. This was then fixed to the intrauterine portion. The wire frame was then made to press on to the pubis, so that the pessary could be kept in position in utero.Pessary, Duke's stem design. Metal pessary with hollow stem, and a rounded flange at one end. The flange has six small holes surrounding the central hole. The stem is flexible and is made from coiled metal which has then been attached (perhaps by soldering) to the flange.pessary, intrauterine device

Item originally belonged to Professor Bruce Mayes, University of Sydney c1950-65. According to Professor Warren Jones the item had been in a back room of the medical facility and Professor Mayes gave it to Warren Jones, otherwise it may have been thrown out. Warren Jones took it with him to Adelaide where he practiced from 1975.Uterine flushing tube. Consists of dilating, double arms with screw mechanism to widen arms. Stopcock at base, stamped "25" on stem near stopcock.obstetric delivery

This tool could also be used as a destructive instrument. 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. Stainless steel dilator with three blades. There is a ratchet at the top of the handles to control the expansion of the arms of the dilator. One arm of the dilator is engraved with the text 'HATRICK'. The second arm of the dilator is engraved with the text 'LONDON'."HATRICK'/'LONDON'destructive instruments, obstetrics

Surgical instrument. Consists of two slender metal arms, joined at the centre, with a small circular knob at the join for opening and closing the instrument. One end of each of the metal arm curves slightly upward to form a rounded point. The other end of each metal arms narrows in the final five centimeters, and cures slightly downward to form a rounded point. The number '59' is engraved on both arms of the instrument next to the join.'59'

Metal surgical instrument. Consists of scissor like handles with circular finger grips atop two metal arms. There is a metal gauge extending between the handles approximately an inch below the finger grips which provides a measurement as to how far apart the tips of the instrument are at any given time. A curved metal plate is attached between the handles below the gauge which functions as a spring to give some resistance to the instrument. The arms are joined together by a pin at the centre. Metal plates attached to the underside of the lower part of the arms lock into place as the instrument is opened. Each arm narrows in the last two inches and ends in a round point, with the end points resembling the nose of a pair of pliers. The words 'MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT' are engraved on one arm of the instrument. The number '18' is engraved on the inside of both arms towards the tip.'MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT', '18'gynaecology

Four-pronged metal surgical instrument. Consists of a handle and a short shaft with a metal cross shaped base section to which four long, curved prongs are attached. Each prong is capped by a detachable foot, consisting of a grooved metal sleeve with a base that forms the shape of a quarter circle. When the device is closed, the four feet line up with each other to form a complete circle at the base. There is large handle with four spokes at the top of the device for opening and closing the instrument, and a circular knob is affixed to the top of the handle to lock it in place when required. The shaft of the instrument is engraved with gauge markings to measure how open the instrument is when in use.obstetrics