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The receiver/box was devised by Hamilton Irving an English general surgeon in 1907 as the supra pubic prostatectomy operation was being performed more frequently due to improvements in anesthetics and surgical techniques. Dissatisfaction with the results of the postoperative treatment as the dressings became saturated with urine which if left in contact with the skin it soon caused excoriation. This gave rise to the development of the apparatus with subsequent benefits to the patient.

The receiver was said to be easy to apply, comfortable to wear and effective in keeping the patient dry and able to move freely in bed. It was essential to keep the supra pubic wound dry to keep it from ulcerating. Also the receiver would aid in the collection of urine for measurement as part of post operative management.

Oval metal supra pubic receiver with two drainage outlets to enable urine to drain via an abdominal drain tube following a supra pubic cystoscopy and prostatectomy. This appliance was used to secure progressive healing and so keep the patient dry. It was held in place by a leather belt.

Front of appliance has 'RAMSAY' inscribed as well as 'Wd 3'.

Sister Gertrude Lawson graduated 1887, is pictured in the operating theatre circa 1907 but she probably did not play an active role. At this time the surgeons were assisted by a male attendant. In 1899 Matron Laura Pratt wrote, " There were 3 main operating days, the surgeons being Mr Henry O'Hara, Mr Cook and Mr Buchanan. There was one theatre sister whose duties were to prepare the theatre and attend all operations, buy and keep instruments in repair, prepare all types of sutures. She was on duty 24 hours for emergencies with a trained deputy on call from the ward in her absence. This system was altered about 1909 when each nurse at the end of her second year was given a month in the theatre"

A rare photo of the Alfred Hospital operating theatre circa 1907. No antiseptic measures were taken in surgical work apart for instruments being boiled in water and soda. Rubber gloves were not introduced until 1908.

This is a rare photo of the operating theatre circa 1907 at the Alfred Hospital.

The notice on the wall reads: "The floor being reserved for the hospital staff. Visitors are requested to take seats in the gallery."

Many photographs were taken of Matron Mann & Staff in 1922. It was described as a 'progressive year' in relation to building expansion. The Linay Pavilion was renovated and remodeled; concrete modern covered ways connecting Wards and the operating theatre had been completed; and the new home for nurses had been opened & a covered way constructed from the nurses quarters to main buildings. There were also renovations to portions of the Administration Block.

Many photographs of the Matron and Staff were published in 1922 with the new buildings in the background .For example, the construction of Nurses Home was the completion of the scheme inaugurated in 1908 when night nurses' quarters were erected. The new building contained 124 rooms, in addition to pantries, box rooms and all necessary offices. A larger nurses home secured accommodation for more nurses to be trained.

A photograph of Matron Louisa Mann and nursing staff taken in 1922 at the Alfred Hospital.

This crest and motto was designed at the Alfred Hospital in 1895 and used until 1936.It featured a red pattee cross set above a motto which was introduced when the Alfred Hospital began nurse training in 1880.

The motto is significant to the Alfred Hospital Nurses League Inc. established 18th October 1918. There was no hospital badge for nurses on graduation from the Alfred Hospital, so the Alfred Hospital Nurses League Inc. had a badge designed with the hospital crest and motto which the League presented to Alfred Hospital nurses graduating from 1920 onwards.Reference: Alfred Hospital Nurses League minute books, 1919-1920.

This crest and motto was used at the Alfred Hospital between 1895 and 1936. But, the motto was introduced in 1880 when the hospital introduced a nurse training program.

A crest was designed consisting of a red pattee cross set above the words ," Where there is not a woman, there the sick man groaneth"

This photograph of two Alfred Hospital trainee nurses with children indicates how important it was to allow children in hospital some exposure to sunshine and fresh air.

The Children's Ward 15 at the Alfred Hospital was on the ground floor and opened in 1902, west of the Administration Block. The upper level was Ward 12, a women's Medical Ward. A feature of this wing is that it had verandahs and balconies on both sides, these being equipped with a special design of blind. Patients could benefit by the morning as well as the afternoon sunshine.

A photograph taken circa 1948, of two trainee 2nd year nurses, caring for children in the sunshine outside the Children's Ward 15.

The photograph is labeled Audrey K and Lorna M with four children on a cot in the sunshine outside Ward 15

This is a photograph of the first grass tennis courts at the Alfred Hospital. They were built in 1923. The photo was taken in 1933.Many social tennis matches were held during the 70 years they were on the Alfred Hospital site.

The tennis courts were being considered in 1900. They were not established until 1923 and there are many photographs and stories to justify how extensively they were used. They were relocated in 1943 and used until a multi story car park was built on the site in 1993.

The first grass tennis courts were built in 1923 between the Edward Wilson Wing[ Wards 3 & 5] and the nurses home, close to Commercial Road. This photograph was taken in 1933. In 1943 the Margaret Coles Maternity Wing opened on this site. The tennis courts were relocated to the other side of the walkway until 1993 when the multi story car park occupied the site.

The photo is from a donation album which contains other photographs of the tennis courts.

This photo shows a group of student nurses who are practicing bandaging in the sunshine near their practical classroom in 1933. Two tutor sisters are teaching them. They are wearing veils and their uniforms have become slightly shorter in length during the 1930's.

It was very important for nurses to practice bandaging during their nurse training , as the application of a comfortable and supportive bandage to a patient was indicative of skilled, high grade training.

This photograph shows a group nurses during bandaging practice outside the practical room which was at the South Wing of the Nurses Home

This work reference for Nurse Luly is an example of the value placed on highly skilled nurses, who trained at the Alfred Hospital in the 1920's..

A highly skilled surgical nurse is highly sought after. To receive a work reference from a prominent surgeon would ensure the nurse could have the type of surgical work she liked, to provide work satisfaction and allow her to travel if she chose.

A work reference for Nurse Gwendoline Luly who graduated in 1922 from a prominent Alfred Hospital Surgeon Mr James Buchanan in 1929

The Reference reads: 'Sister Gwen Luly was a Theatre Sister at the Alfred Hospital from May 1922 to February 1926. A fact that speaks for itself as to her surgical and nursing capabilities. She is without doubt one of the finest nurses we have ever had on our staff and I can most highly recommend her for any position requiring nursing and surgical skill of a high grade- James Buchanan'

This is a photo of some nurses who graduated in 1962. It became a story for the newspapers as the nurses needed to view their certificates by using a lamp during a power blackout in the St Kilda Road area.

Florence Nightingale required the use of a lamp to nurse her patients in mid 1850's . These new graduates required a lamp to view their graduation certificates in 1952

A newspaper photograph and a short article congratulating the nurses who have recently graduated in nursing during a power black out.

The article describes the nurses graduation which was held during a power blackout. They required the use of a lamp to see their graduation certificates.