Significance

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

Physical description

The obstetric forceps resemble a pair of elongated tongs with curved blades at one end and handles at the other. Attached beneath the main body is an additional traction apparatus consisting of rods and a separate handle, giving it a more complex appearance than standard forceps. The extra rods and lower traction handle give Neville Barnes axis-traction forceps a somewhat mechanical, framework-like appearance, making them visibly more elaborate and bulkier than ordinary obstetric forceps.

Inscriptions & markings

The axis-traction part of the forceps says ''441''