Physical description
Colour photograph of an Ormbsy inhaler lying on a wooden table. The inhaler has a metal mouthpiece with rubber tubing around the edge, and a rubber bag inside a black netbag.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Colour photograph of an Ormbsy inhaler lying on a wooden table. The inhaler has a metal mouthpiece with rubber tubing around the edge, and a rubber bag inside a black netbag.
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) began as a faculty at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Separation was achieved in 1992, when the faculty became a college in its own right. The relationship between ANZCA and RACS has been strong ever since, and on opening the new building at the rear of the property in 2002, RACS gifted this painting to ANZCA.
Mixed media abstract on square canvas. The painting is an orange, grey, green and white background, with an abstracted landscape in black to the centre.
Handwritten in blue permanent marker on reverse: -RETURN TO FOREVER- / T MCNAMARAHandwritten on white sticker adhered to frame: TREVOR MCNAMARA / "RETURN TO FOREVER" / 160 X 160 / MIXED MEDIA / W: 3862 BTY ZAW
At the conclusion of a term in office, the Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists would have their portrait taken.
This photograph is one in a series which documents the history of the development of the Faculty of Anaesthetists through portraits of past deans. The tradition has continued through to the development of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, although that also marked a transition to oil paintings rather than photography. This portrait was photographed by renowned photographic artist, Athol Shmith. As such it holds both historic and artistic significance.
Black and white image of Dr Robert Orton, wearing the robes of office of the Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (predecessor to the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists).
robert orton, faculty dean, dean's robes, official portrait
At the conclusion of their term of office, former deans of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons would have their portrait taken.
lennard travers
This photo album depicts a small period of time during 1919, and highlights some of the anaesthetic work conducted by Dr Rupert Hornabrook. There is no record as to the reason for the construction of the album, but it appears to offer insight into his work the Dental School, as well as experimentation with different types of anaesthetic agents, using himself as a test subject.
Rupert Hornabrook was an early full-time anaesthetist in Australia. He helped to develop anaesthesia into a specialised field of medicine by conducting research into the way anaesthesia worked, and its effects on the body. This album is of historic significance as it not only documents a specific period in the professional life of a full-time anaesthetist in Australia, it also documents anaesthetic equipment, and the way it was used.
Blue photograph album with vinyl wrapped heavy card cover. A three ringed binder is attached to the inside of the album and sixteen (16) photographs are inside, mounted on heavy card. Each photograph has a typed label on white paper in blue ink adhered to the front describing the events of the photograph. Photographs depict various administrations of ethyl chloride as anaesthesia and analgesia, with many photographs of Rupert Hornabrook.
The Bird Mark 4 is an anaesthesia assistor or controller with pressure and volume controller to be driven by a respirator. Combination of Mark 4 with respirator makes an automatic anaesthesia respirator eliminating manual bagging. The machine can work through Boyle anaesthetic system. It is designed for both paediatric and adult application. (Drugs and Equipment in Anaesthesia Practice, Aruna Parameswari, 2019)
Green metal box atop a clear plastic unit with a black bellows inside, which forms one part of the overall unit. The unit is attached to a pole, enabling height adjustment. The pole is, in turn, attached to a set of four castors [not original].
White text on black stick on strip on top of metal box: DO NOT PULL APART / FOR USE IN THEATRE ONLY A series of instructions are printed in white text over the unit.
anaesthesia assistor, anaesthesia controller, pressure controller, volume controller, paediatric, adult
The photo contains a series of photographs depicting the correct procedure for setting up an anaesthetic tray for theatre.
Green, leather bound photo album with brown leather edge, held together by brown and gold yarn. There is gold gilt lettering on the front, surrounded by a gold gilt decorative oval, spelling out "Photographs". Inside the album are a series of heavy paper pages with photographs and labels stuck on to them. Not all pages have been used, and additional photographs were stored among the blank pages. These have now been relocated to BK3. The photos depict the various ways in which an anaesthetic tray should be prepared for particular types of operations.
White sticker [discoloured] adhered to top right hand corner of photo album, with handwritten inscription: ANAESTHETIC TRAYS
anaesthesia, anesthesia, surgery, boyle's machine, trilene, ether, laryngoscope, endotracheal tubing
Poster from the Royal Humane Society of Australia outlining instructions for "Restoring the Apparently Dead". The original poster is printed in black ink on silk .
Pale blue cardboard box with blue manufacturer's label across the face of the box and down each side. The label has black printed text. Inside the box is allocation for ten (10) ampoules. There are three (3) clear glass ampoules each with a pale blue label with black printed text. A metal blade is wrapped in tissue paper and a thin, squared off piece of metal is also wrapped in tissue paper.
Persian physicians Rhazes (860–932CE) and Avicenna (980–1037CE) mentioned coffee in specialised writings, describing its medicinal properties. Although caffeine took centuries to find its way to Europe, it was quickly found to have medicinal value. Coffee has been mentioned in medical journals since the beginning of the eighteenth century, emphasising its capacity for nervous and vasomotor stimulation. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant of the methylxanthine class of psychoactive drugs. It is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Pfizer acquired David G Bull in 1984.
Small clear glass ampoule with black printed text on surface containing the amber coloured liquid of 2 grains in 1 cc Hermette Caffeine.
Practical Anaesthesia was the first text book on anaesthesia produced in Australia. Geoffrey Kaye was one of the contributors to this book, which included a foreword by F.H. McMechan, Secretary General, International Anesthesia Research Society.
Hard covered burgundy book with gold leaf letter on front and spine and gold leaf trim on all faces.
geoffrey kaye, mcmechan, international anaesthesia research society, alfred hospital, baker institute
The Dräeger Pulmotor was developed in 1907. It addressed previous concerns about lung injury, by limiting both the inspiratory and expiratory pressures. Although still controversial, the Pulmotor was widely distributed and commercially successful. Oxygen from cylinders provided both the inspiratory gas flow and the driving mechanism. Expiration was an active process and gases were sucked from the lungs by negative pressure created by a Venturi effect. This device came with a facemask and harness, with a caution that the operator should take care to prevent air entering the stomach.
Draeger resuscitation kit, inside wooden case with handle. Case contains small heavy gas cylinder with large beige handwritten 'S. M E' inscription on one side. Due to water damage case missing pieces of plywood in corner and floor of case bubbled and swollen.|Rubber decomposed rigid
inspiratory, expiratory, pulmotor, negative pressure
Oral airways, such as the Guedel, make it much easier for patients to be ventilated. They depress the tongue and prevent it from falling to the back of the throat where it would obstruct the airway.
Curved, red rubber tubing with a metal connector in one end.
19M.M. DO
airway, ventilation, obstruction, guedel, rubber
Between 1867 and 1920, anaesthesia for dental operations was often maintained by blowing the vapour of ether or chloroform into the patients' oral or nasal pharynx. Junker's inhalers are a "blow over" device used with a hand-held bellows to bubble air through liquid chloroform and to the patient. It was initially intended for use with bichloride of methylene, a mixture of chloroform and methyl alcohol. Ferdinand Ethelbert Junker introduced his inhaler in 1867 as appointed physician to Samaritan Free Hospital for Women (although it didn't have that name until c.1904).
Glass jar with liquid measure markers etched onto. The jar has a metal lid, with a metal tube descending into the jar. Two metal tubes are protuding out of the top of the lid, and each has a small section of rubber tubing attached. There is also a metal hook, used to attached the jar to the physicians (anaesthetist's) lapel.
Stamped into frame of metal lid: LONDON MADE
junker, blow over, chloroform, samaritan free hospital for women
Small glass container with a round base, extending into an oval shaped opening
eye bath, glass
This is a large metal framework covered in gauze, the whole mask completely enclosing the patient's face excluding any possibility of carbon dioxide being excreted. This object was found in the possession of the Italian Army in Libya in 1940, and donated to the museum by Dr Geoffrey Kaye. Gustave Julliard, of Geneva, after a death from chloroform had occurred in his practice, abandoned the use of that anaesthetic and adopted ether. He administered it from a large, wire frame, the outside of which was covered with waxed cloth to make it impermeable to air, the inside with surgical gauze on to which the ether was poured.
Large metal wire frame mask, covered in waxed paper, with gauze wrapped around the rim to prevent ether leaking out, effectively forming a rebreathing apparatus.
ether, carbon dioxide, italian army, libya, 1940
Dr. Allen De Vilbiss (1841-1917) of Toledo, Ohio, developed his first atomiser around 1887. This device was designed to allow for dissolving cocaine, as a local anaesthetic agent, in oil, and spraying into the nose and throat. In the early to mid 20th Century, The DeVilbiss Company began making perfume atomisers instead of medical ones.
Red, heavy cardboard box with manufacturer's label at one end, containing a glass bottle with metal spray attachment, and a khaki rubber bulb for pumping liquid through the atomiser.
Stamped into top of metal atomiser: DE VILBISS TOLEDO USA
atomiser, local anaesthetic
A funnel, held above the patient's face, was almost the standard of giving oxygen until c.1930. It was quite useless, enriching the inhaled atmosphere by only about 3% of oxygen.
Clear dimpled glass in the shape of a funnel, with red strong running through the centre, and tied to one side.
oxygen, oxygen therapy, funnel, cig, commonwealth industrial gases
Large unused diamond shaped Austox label made for use on nitrous oxide cylinders. Dark purple, violet and white background, with white, violet and red lettering.
Information printed on label: SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR MEDICAL USES. / AUSTOX [logo] / NITROUS OXIDE / KEEP COOL / WEIGHTS: / GROSS..........LBS. ........OZS. / TARE.......... LBS. ........OZS. / NET..........LBS. ........OZS. / Contents Imp. Gallons / WARNING. - Great caution must be exercised to prevent any oil entering the cylinder, or being applied to the valve or fittings. The use of oil may lead to a dangerous explosion. / AUSTRALIAN OXYGEN / AND / INDUSTRIAL GASES / PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE
label, cylinder, austox, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd, nitrous oxide
Large unused diamond shaped Austox label made for use on carbon dioxide cylinders. Black and beige background, with beige and red lettering.
Information printed on label: SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR MEDICAL USES. / AUSTOX [logo] / COMPRESSED / CARBON DIOXIDE / KEEP COOL [in red] / WEIGHTS: / GROSS..........LBS. ........OZS. / TARE..........LBS. ........OZS. / NET..........LBS. .......OZS. / Contents Imp. Gallons / USE NO OIL OR GREASE ON VALVE [in red] / AUSTRALIAN OXYGEN / AND / INDUSTRIAL GASES / PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE
label, cylinder, carbon dioxide, cig, commonwealth industrial gases ltd, compressed carbon dioxide, austox, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd
Large unused rectangular label made for use on carbon dioxide cylinders with 10% CO2 printed on it. Beige with black lettering.
label, cylinder, cig, carbon dioxide, commonwealth industrial gases ltd
Large unused rectangular label made for use on carbon dioxide cylinders with 5% CO2 printed on it. Beige with black lettering.
label, cylinder, cig, carbon dioxide, commonwealth industrial gases ltd
Large unused diamond shaped Austox label made for use on carbogen cylinders. Beige with a black border, and green and red lettering.
Information printed on label: SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR MEDICAL USES. / AUSTOX [logo] / COMPRESSED / CARBOGEN / CO2..........% OXYGEN.......... / (The percentages stated above are subject to tolerance) / KEEP COOL [in red] / CONTENTS: Imperial Gallons / WARNING - Great caution must be exercised to prevent any oil entering the cylinder, or being applied to the valve or fittings. The use of oil may lead to a dangerous explosion. [in red] / Australian Oxygen & Industrial Gases / Pty. Ltd. / MELBOURNE
label, cylinder, austox, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd, carbogen, compressed carbogen
Large unused hexagonal shaped CIG label made for use on carbogen cylinders. Beige and green background with black lettering.
Information printed on label: CIG MEDICAL SECTION [logo] / OXYGEN 90% CARBON DIOXIDE 10% / (These Percentages are subject to a tolerance) / Contents..........Imp. Gallons / COMPRESSED / CARBOGEN / C.I.G. (Victoria) Pty. Ltd. / 550 Latrobe Street, Melbourne, C.3 / Telephone: FJ6681 / USE NO OIL / OR GREASE
label, cylinder, cig, carbogen, compressed carbogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, cig victoria
Large unused diamond shaped Austox label made for use on ethylene cylinders. Red with beige lettering.
Information printed on label: AUSTOX [logo] / INFLAMMABLE / ETHYLENE / KEEP COOL / Product of the British Oxygen Co. Ltd. / Contents...............c.ft. ...............gallons (Imp.) / Weight of Full Cylinder ..........lbs. ..........ozs. / 31 OUNCES ETHYLENE = 166 1/2 GALLONS (IMPERIAL) / Use only moderate force when closing valve / Always test with water for leakage after using / Australian Oxygen & Industrial Gases / Pty. Ltd. / MELBOURNE
label, cylinder, cig, ethylene, austox, british oxygen company, boc, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd, commonwealth industrial gases ltd
Large unused diamond shaped Austox label made for use on ethylene cylinders. Beige with red lettering.
Information printed on label: SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR MEDICAL USE / AUSTOX [logo] / INFLAMMABLE / ETHYLENE / KEEP COOL / Product of the OHIO CHEMICAL & MFG. CO., CLEVELAND. / Contents...............c.ft. ............... gallons (Imp.) / Weight of Full Cylinder ..........lbs. ..........ozs. / 31 OUNCES ETHYLENE = 166 1/2 GALLONS (IMPERIAL) / Use only moderate force when closing valve / Always test with water for leakage after using / Australian Oxygen & Industrial Gases / Pty. Ltd. / MELBOURNE
label, cylinder, cig, ethylene, austox, ohio chemical and mfg company, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd, commonwealth industrial gases ltd
Medium sized diamond shaped label made for use on cyclopropane cylinders. White with a dark orange background and black and white lettering.
Information printed on label: AUSTOX [logo] / INFLAMMABLE / CYCLOPROPANE / FOR ANAESTHESIA / KEEP COOL / (PRODUCT OF THE OHIO CHEMICAL & MFG. CO.) / CONTENTS: OZ. GALLONS (IMP.) / GROSS WT. CYLINDER LBS. OZS. / TARE WT. CYLINDER LBS. OZS. / AUSTRALIAN OXYGEN & INDUSTRIAL GASES / PTY. LTD. / 550 LATROBE STREET / MELBOURNE / C1
label, cylinder, cig, cyclopropane, austox, ohio chemical and mfg company, australian oxygen and industrial gases pty ltd, commonwealth industrial gases ltd
Colour photograph of a Coutt's mask lying on a wooden table. The mask has a circular and made of metal and there is a small metal loop on the side of the object. Two thin metal hinges with screws are curved from one side of the mask to the other, and stuck on one hinge is a blue label with P.3.6 printed on it. Inside the mask is a metal mesh grill. A reddish brown residue like rubber and paper is stuck around the rim of the mask.
anaesthetic equipment, coutt's mask, mask
Colour photograph of a Coutt's Mask lying on a wooden table. The mask is circular, made of metal and has a curved opening with a raised lip that is resting on the table. There is a small metal loop on the mask and a thin metal hinge with screws is curved from one side to the other. A reddish brown residue like rubber is stuck around the rim of the mask.
anaesthetic equipment, mask, coutt's mask
The Lidwill machine was designed by Mark Lidwill in 1913, for the purpose of mechanical or insufflation anaesthesia. It was manufactured by Elliott Bros. of Sydney. Shortly afterwards, the Anaesthetic and Portable Machine Company of Sydney devised a machine that was functionally the same but also contained an electric lamp heater.
Colour photograph of a modified Lidwill anaesthetic machine sitting on carpet, taken from above. The vaporiser is metal and circular, and has metal valves and controls and two orange tubes. The machine has an electric cord and power plug which is coiled on the floor.
anaesthetic equipment, lidwill anaesthetic machine, mark lidwill, ether vaporiser, anaesthetic and portable machine company of sydney, vaporiser
The Bruck Inhaler is a modification of the Clover Inhaler, designed by Lambert Bruck.
Colour photograph of a Bruck inhaler lying on its side on a wooden table. The metal inhaler is oval shaped with one half made of glass, and also has a vertical crosspiece. Lying next to the inhaler is a face mask and a filler for measuring ether.
anaesthetic equipment, bruck inhaler, ludwig bruck, inhaler, clover inhaler
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.