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Have a question? Contact Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
The object has been identified as a viginal (douche) irrigator. However the glass tube is similar in appearance to one of the four types of Brewer's glass cannular used in direct blood transfusion.
Reference Down Bros, page 958A
Vaginal irrigator, glass tube, slightly wider at proximal (viginal ) end, the distal end is round and blunt for attachment to rubber tubing.
Part of a collection of unknown provenance donated by Frank Forster
Surgeon's operating apron [oiled silk]
Frank Forster collection.
Irrigator nozzle for virginal or rectal use, bakerlite, has a small flange at the distal end with four small beval lines, hollow. The nozzle could possibly be attached to a Higginson's syringe and inserted int a trocar and cannular.
frank forster, mrs howlett, vaginal, rectal irrigator nozzle
Used to either irrigate the eye, instill medicated drops or other uses such as for wound irrigation or the evacuation of fluid under the skin, canula's or eye droppers as they are commonly called were used both in homes and hospitals during the late 1880s and the early 1900s and were commonly available at Chemists.
canula, glass or eye dropper finely tapered at one end and at the other is the open ended bulb.
canula, eye dropper, mrs howlett
Valve, small, glass,some sort of connector,possibly for a syringe or a cannula.
intravenous device
This appliance can used in two different ways: externally to spray antiseptic mist on to the skin or internally on the back of the throat. Insufflator is the clinical term for spraying and applicator is the clinical term for the application of medical topical powders or liquids. This was used by the midwife in the care of mother and newborn babies.
White metal applicator probably made from nickel plate consists of watch spring attached to a piston and phlange which was attached to a glass tube mounted on black vulcanite by metal connections of various sizes.
midwifery, infant care
Pessary, black vulcanite, "eyeglass", stem style, small size.
inter-uterine device, pessary, eyeglass
Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.]
Pessary, black vulcanite, Thomas retroflexion, small size.
inter-uterine device, pessary, thomas
his type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.]
Pessary, black vulcanite, Hodges, single curve.
inter-uterine device, pessary, hodges
his type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.]
Pessary, black vulcanite, Hodges, large size.
inter-uterine device pessary, hodges
This type of pessary was often used for uterine malpositions and displacements and usually made from vulcanite. This particular object is known as Hodges moulded pessary. [Source: George Tiemann & Co Surgical Instruments catalogue.1989. page 486.]
Pessary, black vulcanite, Hodges, irregular shape, moulded, medium size. "I.T.A.Y." inscribed on upper curve
inter-uterine device, pessary, hodges
Wooden case and introducer with "Galante" inscribed on lower side of case and "2" near the top of the case.
Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster and he donated to the museum collection in the 1993. A related item held in the collection is Mrs Howlett's linen apron donated by Patricia Thompson in 1993.
Glass breast pump with brass screw attachment and remnants of rubber pump.
infant feeding
Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster and he donated to the museum collection in the 1993. A related item held in the collection is Mrs Howlett's linen apron donated by Patricia Thompson in 1993.
Container, base, for bath thermometer, cyclindrical, tin with copper lining, 31cm in length.[bath thermometer missing].
thermometer, bath
The two narrow bandages, on and a quarter to one and a half inch would have been used to cover hand and finger dressings. The two larger bandages, one and a half and to two inch would have been used for arm and foot dressings and applied in a figure of eight. [Helen Johnson, 1998]
Cotton bandages in four different sizes
midwifery
This type of test tube would have been used to collect blood or other bodily fluids such as urine.
Glass test tube with a thin glass lip in original cylinder cardboard case.
diagnostic testing
Regulator, glass, part of intravenous drip.
intravenous device
This paper was read on 14 June 1965 by Dr Frank Forster at a meeting of the section of Medical History, Victorian branch, Australian Medical Association, according to Ann Tovell, who worked at the AMA and in association with Frank. It was likely that Frank Forster acquired the midwifery box belonging to Mrs Mary Howlett at the former Eastern market that was located on the corner of Bourke and Russell Streets up to the early 1960s.
Photograph, sepia, Mrs Mary Howlett, midwife, formal studio portrait, studio stamp "Johstone O'Shannessy & Co." Inscribed on verso, probably by Dr Frank Forster, "MRS MARY LIVINGSTONE/ HOWLETT".
mrs howlett, midwifery, dr frank forster
This paper was read on 14 June 1965 by Dr Frank Forster at a meeting of the section of Medical History, Victorian branch, Australian Medical Association, according to Ann Tovell, who worked at the AMA and in association with Frank. It was likely that Frank Forster acquired the midwifery box belonging to Mrs Mary Howlett at the former Eastern market that was located on the corner of Bourke and Russell Streets up to the early 1960s.
Lecture transcript, titled, "Mrs Howlett and Dr Jenkins: Listerism, and early Midwifery practice in Australia by Dr Frank Forster. Lecture given 14 June 1965.
mrs howlett, midwifery, dr frank forster
Personal diary of Dr F.J Browne used in 1940. Donated by Grace Cuthbert Browne, wife of Dr Brown.
Personal diary, small navy blue hard cover bound diary"1940" in gold lettering on front cover. Inscription on front page, "F.J. Browne/ 8 Downing Street/ Cambridge". The diary entries finish on 1 June 1940.
The enema box was used by Mrs Howlett in the 1880s on her district rounds.
Enamad syringe case, without syringe, black leather with gold clip. Instructions for use and how to clean the instrument is pasted inside the lid and base of the box.
enema
Connection for a bone rectum pipe for manual Indian rubber enema syringe
enema
The Furgusson stethoscope was in use from 1866
Fetal stethoscope made from ebony consists of a tube with phlanges at each end. The large phlange would be placed onto the abdomen and the small phlange would be placed to the ear to hear the fetal heart beat.
diagnostic instruments
A cupping glass was in use from the early 1700s. Its purpose was to draw the nipple out from the areola in preparation for breast feeding. It may also be used for expressing small quantities of breast milk. Other possible uses include drawing fluid from other parts of the body such as oedema of the limbs or abdomen.
Glass connection with red rubber hand pump.
breast feeding
Glass connection with cork stopper and wooden bung
breast feeding
Nipple shields were used to assist with the treatment of inverted, cracked or infected nipples and to aid the flow of milk from the breast.The nipple shield could be worn to assist in drawing out flat nipples or as it was known as the formation of "new nipples".
Small glass nipple shield used for breast feeding.
maternity
Part contents of Mrs Howlett's midwifery box.
Glass syringe with cork bung and wood cap at distal end inside glass barrel with tapered end. Wound syringe.
irrigation, mrs howlett, dr frank forster
Part contents of Mrs Howlett's midwifery box.
Vaginal syringe barrel with glass and cork plunger. Fluid capacity of syringe 60-90 mls.
irrigation, mrs howlett, dr frank forster
Pap boat, also known as an infant feeding cup made of white china with an extended slim lip.
infant care
This type of cup would be in use from the early 1900s to the 1930s. The cups were used both in the home and in hospitals.
Feeding cup for an adult made out of white china, now discoloured. The cup has a curved spout with a handle.
Belonged to the collection of Frank Forster
Pessary, intra-uterine contraceptive device,red rubber outer covering over wire or vulcanite, irregular shape, rubber over wire or vulanite, most likely hand made. At the idstal lid end, insciribed "PATENTED".
inter-uterine device, pessary
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.
