Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

Julian Smith's blood transfusion pump, for direct (person to person) blood transfusion. Included is a rotary pump, clamps, a metal cup with clamp and a metal box and lid for autoclave sterilisation. Incomplete, polyvinyl tubing missing.

Historical information

The Julian Smith direct blood transfusion pump was invented by Dr Smith in Melbourne in the late 1930s. Smith founded St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne and was known as an inventor and photographer as well as a pioneering surgeon. His blood transfusion innovations were adopted worldwide during the 1940s. This belonged to Dr Bill Rawling's and was in a medical bag that he was used in the 1940s and 1950s. It was donated by Dr Geoff Bishop.

Silver identification bracelet engraved with "FJ Browne/ Heath Lodge/ Watford Heath" worn by F.J. Brown, member of Royal Flying Corps.

Historical information

Identification badges were worn during World War II in England.

Stamp, "63/ Millennium 1999/37/ Test tube baby/ A Gormley". Envelope. Envelope addressed to RACOG, sender was FM McKellar/ @ Norham End/ Norham Road/ Oxford OX205G/ United Kingdom.

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".

Historical information

Belonged to the collection of Frank Forster

Forceps, Greenhalgh's, with ebony handlie inserts. Od tag attached marked "GREENHALGH" most likely idenitifed by Cyrus Jones or Frank Forster. Manufacturer's stamp "W & M Hutchinson/ Sheffield"on inner side of handle.

Historical information

Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Neonatal incubator, "Glenleigh", made and used, late 1950s- early 1960s. The four side laminated panels as well as bottom panel are possibly made of asbestos fibreboard,. Each panel is sealed with polished aluminium strips, and has a metal handrail.The incubator is mounted on four castors made by "Shepherd USA'. On the front panel is a bakerlite dial and a bakerlite switch. The item is incomplete: the cover, probably glass, is missing. Inside the unit is an old calico infant's mattress.There are two name plates on the front panel; “Australia/ Victor Watson/Limited/ New Zealand” and "Glenleigh/ Baby Incubator/ Aeronautical & Industrial Lighting Co/ 677-9 North Road Carnegie”.

Historical information

This item was purchased at Leski's, Melbourne, Medical collection auction, 8 May 2013. The incubator was part of a rare collection of medical, dental and pharmaceutical objects belonging to a tourism business, Kryal Castle, near Ballarat, Victoria from 1974. At some point,apparently, an officer manager discarded the museum records, so the provenance of the neonatal incubator, and many other items in the Leski auction, has been lost.

Inscriptions & Markings

Australia/ Victor Watson/Limited/ New Zealand” "Glenleigh/ Baby Incubator/ Aeronautical & Industrial Lighting Co/ 677-9 North Road Carnegie”. Castors::"Shepherd USA'

Forceps,tissue, box jointed, Allis Spencer Wells contained in chamois pocket dressing case [185.1]and other instruments. Stamped on inner arm," 2".

Container with hinged lid, manufacturer's label [29.2], plastic bag containing 10 Lippes Loops [29.3-29.12].

Historical information

This item came from Geoff Bishop's rooms at Mollison House, 386 Albert Street, East Melbourne. Disatrby Ethnor P/L Sydney, these bulk purchase packs pre-dated the individually sterile packaged products with disposable

Forceps, Aveling's, with ebony handles. Stamped "Meyer & Meltzer London & Melbourne"on inner arm.

Historical information

Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Uterine dilator, Goodell's, stamped inside the blades '22". Manufacturers logo stamped on near netral screw joint, Medical symbol, serpent entwined around a sword with crown on top.

Historical information

Mostl likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.

Historical information

This item belonged to Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan�s (1892-1972) obstetric bag. During surgery under general anaesthetic, the forceps were used to pull tongue forward to keep the patient's airways clear from obstruction.Item in general use fron the 1930s onwards in teaching hospitals

Palmer's diathermy forceps. It has two pronds for grasping that retracts with a screw mechanism. Purchased by Geoff Bishop as an additional part of original laparoscopy set, also included in this accession 1999005.

Historical information

Part of the laparoscopy equipment donated by Dr Geoff Bishop. Dr Geoffrey Bishop, whilst at the Department of O and G, University of Liverpool, UK, began laparoscopy in 1969. On returning to Australia, Bishop and Grimwade together with Mr Peter Paterson introduced gynaecological laparoscopy to Melbourne, practising at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVMH), Melbourne in 1969. The College, through the Victorian State Committee of the Australian Council, RCOG, ran training courses in laparoscopy for local and interstate gynaecologists. These were conducted by Bishop, Grimwade and Paterson. They established protocols, with particular reference to safety, for the conduct of laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was used initially for diagnosis and for limited treatment using diathermy for conditions such as endometriosis. The real impetus came with the great upsurge of tubal sterilization in the early 1970s. Early techniques included diathermy and division of the Fallopian tubes using the Palmer forceps. [Dr Peter Renou, former honoury curator.]

Bronze medallion presented to Dr G Rothwell Adam for the Lister Memorial Oration in 1922 [inscribed along edge], in presentation box. Inscribed verso"British Medical Association, South Australian branch.

Historical information

Donated by Frank Forster who was given the medallion by the daughter of Dr G. Rothwell Adam.

canula, glass or eye dropper finely tapered at one end and at the other is the open ended bulb.

Historical information

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.

Metal blade for cutting glass vials

Historical information

Item belonging to Dr Mitchell Henry O"Sullivan donated by his son David More O'Sullivan

Blunt hook and crochet, fitting one handle. Manufacter unknown.

Duke stem pessary x2, metal, hollow stem with a rounded phlange at one end.

Historical information

Dr Frank Forster collection

Irrigator nozzle, black bakerlite,.

Historical information

Artefact may have been used for enema or vaginal irrigation. 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.

Perforator, Denman's, with screw joint. No manufacturer's stamp.

Historical information

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank Forster

Forceps, Simpsons, left blade, short handle, all metal.

Pessary, intra-uterine device, red rubber covering black vulcanite or wire. Inscribed "PATENT".

Historical information

The Hodges-Smith pessary was usually hand made and were in demand as an intra-uterine device in the 1960s.

Forceps, Leishman's, one blade only [incomplete], coated in gutta pecha.

Historical information

Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Perforator, Oldham's, chrome plated metal. "H" stamped on outer arm, near screw joint."1" stamped on inner arm close to screw joint. Stamped , inner arm, "G.Marrier Paris"

Historical information

most likely donated by the late Dr Frank Forster

Neville-Barnes forceps with traction attachment in a cloth pouch

Historical information

This was in the possession of Dr Lorna Green and donated pre-1974

Forceps, Anderson's-Mayer's modified, with ebony handles. Stamped "Meyer & Meltzer". Identified by Bryan Hibbard as a modified version of the Anderson forceps, noted on attached tag.The blades are Anderson's, however the handle with finger grips is ununusual.

Historical information

Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Ring pessary, black vulcanite. Illustrated Allen & Hanbury's catalgoue page 708 no. 5460

Teaching model, uterus in cross-section revealing 4 week embryo.Plastic, painted with numbered sections, model on a green plastc stand with "SOMSO stamped on base, "MADE IN W- GERMANY'stamped underneath base . One of four models in the series, this is the first of the four.

Forceps, Simpson's long, with ebony handles.Manufacturer's stamp "MCLELLAND LONDON".

Historical information

Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Three nickle plated safety pins. The pins aare similaaaaara to those advertised in Felton Grimwade & Deudin catlaogue 1934 and 1948. thtese type of safety pins were commonly used in hospitals between 1930- 1960.

Historical information

This item belonged to Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan�s (1892-1972) obstetric bag.

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.

Historical information

Frank Forster collection.