Historical information

Tanned or chronic catgut came from top quality catgut (fat free). A hardening process was then applied to the muscle durations. The process was introduced and perfected by the firm of Mersons of Edinburgh, makers of sterile surgical ligatures in the early 1930s. Once processed the catgut was preserved in an iod-asceptic preserving spirit and hermetically sealed in glass tubes. It was completely sterile and ready for immediate use.

The length of the catgut in each tube was five feet, or 2.5m, and could be wound onto glass winders in assorted colours.

Significance

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.

Physical description

Two glass vials [195.1,.3] with catgut number three "Ethicon" [195.2,.4] in sterile solution. Vials are moulded and sealed at both ends.