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Set of metal ovum forceps. The instrument loosely resembles a pair of scissors, with two arms joined by a pin at the middle. Each arm is topped by a circular finger grip handle, and the top section of the arms, just below the handles, are bowed. The arms cross over each other both before and after the pin at centre. The end of each arm curves upwards and broadens into a hollow elongated teardrop shape, with the centre of each end cut out to form a teardrop shaped loop at the end of both arms.

gynaecology

Metal surgical instrument resembling an elongated pair of scissors. Consists of two arms joined together with a pin at centre, each arm topped by a circular finger grip. Each arm ends in a shallow scoop with three rectangular slots running the majority of the length of a scoop.

gynaecology

André Levret (8 January 1703 in Paris – 22 January 1780) was a French obstetrician who practised medicine in Paris. He was a contemporary of famed English obstetrician William Smellie (1697–1763), and along with Jean-Louis Baudelocque (1745–1810), helped advance the science of obstetrics in 18th century France. Levret is considered by many to be the most influential figure in 18th century French obstetrics. He is known for his work involving breech maneuvers and Caesarean sections. He wrote a number of influential books in the field of obstetrics and attracted students from all over Europe, among them German obstetrician Johann Lukas Boër (1751–1835). He is credited with improving the birth forceps by adding a "pelvic curve" to the instrument. (Wikipedia)

Surgical instrument. Instrument consists of two arms, loosely resembling a pair of scissors in shape. The arms are joined by a pin at centre, and each arm has a circular finger grip at top. The end of each arm curves upward and broadens into an elongated teardrop shape, with the end of each arm hollowed out so that only the edges remain. The inner edges of the end of each arm are corrugated for grip. Engraved text on one arm reads 'MAYER&MELTZER.LONDON'.

'MAYER&MELTZER.LONDON'

Surgical instrument. Resembles an elongated set of scissors. Consists of two arms, each topped by a circular finger grip. The arms are joined by a pin at centre. Each arm has an oval shaped hole through the arm just before it ends in a narrow, rounded point. The final section of each arm, from approximately 2cm before the tip, is hollowed out and concave. The edges of each arm around this concave section are corrugated for grip.

gynaecology

Metal surgical instrument. Consists of four slightly curved arms approximately 25cm long, attached by pins to a central metal plate. A four pronged handle sits atop the metal plate, which operates a small jack that sits below the metal plate. The jack is attached to all four arms, and opens and closes the arms as the handle is turned. There is a gauge beneath the handle to provide a reading as to how open the arms are at any given time. A foot with a flat base in a quarter circle shape is attached to the bottom of each arm. When the arms are fully closed, the bases of the feet meet up to form a complete circle. The numbers, '1', '2', '3' and '4' are each engraved on one of the feet.

gynaecology, obstetrics

Metal surgical instrument resembling an elongated pair of scissors. Consists of two arms joined together with a pin at centre, each arm topped by a circular finger grip. Each arm ends in a shallow scoop with three rectangular slots running the majority of the length of a scoop. The word 'MAYER & MELTZER' are engraved on one arm of the instrument.

'MAYER & MELTZER'

surgery

Metal surgical instrument. Consists of scissor like handles with circular finger grips atop two metal arms. There is a metal gauge extending between the handles approximately an inch below the finger grips which provides a measurement as to how far apart the tips of the instrument are at any given time. A curved metal plate is attached between the handles below the gauge which functions as a spring to give some resistance to the instrument. The arms are joined together by a pin at the centre. Metal plates attached to the underside of the lower part of the arms lock into place as the instrument is opened. Each arm narrows in the last two inches and ends in a round point, with the end points resembling the nose of a pair of pliers. The words 'MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT' are engraved on one arm of the instrument. The number '18' is engraved on the inside of both arms towards the tip.

'MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT', '18'

gynaecology

Four-pronged metal surgical instrument. Consists of a handle and a short shaft with a metal cross shaped base section to which four long, curved prongs are attached. Each prong is capped by a detachable foot, consisting of a grooved metal sleeve with a base that forms the shape of a quarter circle. When the device is closed, the four feet line up with each other to form a complete circle at the base. There is large handle with four spokes at the top of the device for opening and closing the instrument, and a circular knob is affixed to the top of the handle to lock it in place when required. The shaft of the instrument is engraved with gauge markings to measure how open the instrument is when in use.

obstetrics

Surgical instrument. Consists of two slender metal arms, joined at the centre, with a small circular knob at the join for opening and closing the instrument. One end of each of the metal arm curves slightly upward to form a rounded point. The other end of each metal arms narrows in the final five centimeters, and cures slightly downward to form a rounded point. The number '59' is engraved on both arms of the instrument next to the join.

'59'

Set of surgical forceps, made of metal. Instrument consists of a set of scissor like handles, with small flat hook extensions protruding from the inner/central side on both sides which lock together to keep the forceps closed. The two arms of the forceps are fastened by a pin at lower centre. Each arm of the forceps ends in an oval shaped pad. The inner surface of one pad contains four spikes equidistant to each side of the pad at top, bottom, left and right. and four circular indents centrally located between each spike. The surface of this pad is corrugated for grip. The surface of the second pad contains four equidistant holes on each side of the pad at top, bottom, left and right to match the spikes on the first pad. The centre of the second pad has a concave section with a large hole at the centre.

surgery

Alfred Dührssen (23 March 1862 – 11 October 1933) was a German gynecologist and obstetrician born in Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, at the time part of Denmark. He studied medicine at the University of Marburg, as well as the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Akademie für das militärärztliche Bildungswesen (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Academy for Military Physicians). In 1886, he became an obstetrical assistant to Adolf Gusserow (1836-1906) in Berlin, and in 1888 he began work as a lecturer at the University of Berlin. In 1892 he opened a private clinic for obstetrics and gynecological diseases. Dührssen was a prominent figure in modern German gynecology, being remembered for his pioneer work in surgical practices such as vaginal Caesarean section (vaginalen Kaiserschnitt). He was an advocate of institutional births for all pregnancies, and proposed that pregnant women undergo screening processes to uncover possible difficulties prior to giving birth. (Wikipedia)

Metal uterine dilator consisting of a handle, a short shaft, and eight prongs. The prongs each have a bump/curve in the prong towards the top, to allow them to bend around the shaft of the instrument and meet at their tips. There is a second 'bump' in the prongs just before the tips. The tip of each prong has five ridges to assist with grip. The handle of the device is a flat, rounded handle, which is turned to open the prongs and set them at various degrees of diameter. There is a gauge on the shaft of the instrument which ranges from 0-12, showing the current setting of the instrument. There is also a pin and T-shaped slot arrangement located just above the start of the prongs, which has been engraved '8' on the left hand side, and '1' on the right hand side. Each prong is also engraved with a number at the base of the prong, reading '1' to '8'.

gynaecology

Used for vaginal hysterectomy.

Set of metal forceps. Item very broadly resembles a pair of scissors, with two finger grips at one end, and cutting teeth at the other. There is a ratchet on the shaft of the forceps just below the finger grips to lock the forceps into position. The cutting end of the forceps slants away from the body of the forceps at a 45 degree angle, with each forcep blade having five cutting 'teeth'. the End of each blade is rounded at the tip, above the teeth. Engraved text on the forceps reads 'MAYER & MELTZER LONDON'.

'MAYER & MELTZER LONDON'

Dr Frank Forster and Dr Cyrus Jones were early champions of the College's historical collection.

Colour photograph. Photograph depicts two elderly men in suits, standing in a room surrounded by museum displays. Pictured on the left, in a black suit, is Dr Frank Forster. On the right, in a grey suit, is Dr Cyrus Jones. Photograph has been mounted on white card and installed in a grey metal frame. Sticky note attached to the back of the object carries handwriting which reads 'Dr Cyrus/Jones/on the right in/the original/museum'.

William Smellie (1697-1763) was a Scottish obstetrician who primarily practised and taught in London. Smellie was groundbreaking in his understanding of childbirth and became an influential teacher of obstetrics. He diligently studied the birthing process, particularly the descent of the baby’s head down the birth canal. His observations lead to him noting that many deaths occurred because of a lack of understanding of this process and the inappropriate handling of forceps. Smellie is generally given the credit for improving the forceps to make them easier to use and less likely to damage the baby. Smellie’s "Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery" was published In 1751 and became a widely influential teaching resource. Copies of this birth atlas are held in the Frank Forster Library, RANZCOG. The RANZCOG collection also holds a set of forceps supposedly used by William Smellie.

Photographic of an engraving. Image depicts a man in silken clothing, including scarf/tie and turban. The image is a head and shoulders portrait, and the subject is facing the artist. The man has stubble on his cheeks and dark coloured eyebrows. Text printed below image reads 'W.S. M.D. Aged 56'. Handwritten inscription below printed text reads 'Wm. Smellie, aged 56'. The image is mounted in white card and housed in a black wooden frame. An old display label is affixed to the bottom left hand corner of the back of the object. Handwritten inscription at centre on the back of the work reads 'John Green Room/Presented by Frank Forster, 1975'. Two hooks and a wire are attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

Robert Lawson Tait (1845-1899) was a Scottish doctor and surgeon instrumental in the development of gynaecology as a field during the 19th century. Tait has been credited "with introducing a number of gynecologic surgeries, or surgeries related to women’s reproductive health. Those included procedures for treating abscesses, removing ovaries, and fallopian tubes, and treatment of the gallbladder." He also "argued for strict cleanliness during surgery as well as a more specific focus on performing surgeries to treat diseases of the female reproductive system. Tait’s surgical techniques and advocacy not only aided in the development of hygiene in surgery, increasing patient survival, but also helped develop the field of gynecology, which contributed to a centralized focus on the health of the female reproductive system." (Arizona State University, Embryo Project Encyclopedia)

Black and white reproduction of a portrait photograph. Photograph is of a man in a dark coloured three-piece suit, with a white shirt and striped tie. The man has mutton chop sideburns and long, dark hair, which is parted about his right eye. The man is looking to camera right. The image is in an oval cutout on a white background. Handwritten reproduction of signature beneath the photograph reads 'Lawson Tait/1891'. The photograph is mounted in white card and housed in a black wooden frame. There is an old object label attached to the back of the object. A sticker noting the framer of the image (Jarman the Picture Framer) is attached to the back of the work at upper centre. A wire and two hooks have been attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

William Balfour Ker was a Canadian-American artist. He was also a declared socialist, and his political stance was often reflected in his art. This lithograph is a compelling illustration of the race against time sometimes faced by doctors when trying to get to a patient to assist in birth before the baby is born.

A black and white lithograph. At top right, a stork is flying through the air, with a baby bundled in a cloth that it is holding in its beak. To the left, a horse drawn buggy follows rapidly behind, with the driver wielding a whip and urging on a speeding white horse. The artist's signature printed at bottom right corner of image reads 'WM.BALFOUR-KER'. The lithograph has been mounted and framed in wooden frame. The outer edge of the frame is black, and the inner edge is gold. On the back of the object, a small piece of paper bearing the title of the lithograph has been attached at bottom centre. It reads 'A HURRY CALL, THE DOCTOR v THE STORK'. A second tag attached to the back of the work reads 'From FF', suggesting the donor of this object was Frank Forster. An old display label is attached to the bottom left of the back of the work. A wire and two hooks have been attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

obstetric delivery

This is an image of a public square on the island of Kos in Greece. Kos was the home of Hippocrates, and the tree in this image is reputedly the plane tree under which Hippocrates sat as he taught his pupils medicine. Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine" for his revolutionary impact on the field of medicine. The letters 'A.P.D.R' printed below the title on this artwork refer to the copyright granted to engravers in France.

Black and white engraving of a market square scene on the island of Kos in Greece. A large tree dominates the scene. Below the tree sits a roofed structure with a series of small steps. Water appears to be coming out of a channel of each of the visible sides of the structure, suggesting a fountain. To the left, an array of human figures, horses and a dog sit or stand beneath the tree and on the steps of the fountain. To the right, there are shaded platforms on which people are sitting in groups. There are three dogs in front of the group sitting on a platform at bottom right. Text printed below image reads 'VUE DE LA PLACE PUBLIQUE DE COS/A.P.D.R.' Small printed text below bottom left corner of image is partly illegible, but references the original creator of the artwork, Jean-Baptiste Hilair. Small printed text below bottom right corner of image reads ' Gravé à l'eau forte par C. Weisbrod/ el terminé au burin par J. Aliamet'. Small printed text above top left hand corner of image reads 'Pl. 59.' The print has been framed in a brown wooden frame with gold trim. An old display label is affixed to the back of the object. A card from Professor Franco Crainz is affixed to the back of the object, thanking the unnamed receiver for a reprint of their "interesting paper on D.D.Davis' Obstetric Atlas". The front of the card carries a print of the Temple of Esculapia, located in the Villa Borghese in Rome. A wire and two hooks have been attached to the rear of the work for hanging.

This a cropped reproduction of a photograph taken by Charles Nettleton in c. 1868. Founded in 1856, the Lying-in Hospital was the second hospital to be established in Melbourne, after the Melbourne Hospital. It was, however, the first lying-in hospital in the Australasian colonies. The hospital was founded in a converted private house "Fairmont", which was located at 41 Albert Street, Eastern Hill (now East Melbourne). In 1858, the 'Lying-in Hospital' was relocated and opened in Madeline St, North Melbourne (now known as Swanston St, Carlton)." (The Women's) The building pictured here was eventually demolished in 1938 to make way for further extensions to the building. The original site in Albert Street was demolished in 1960, and the site is now occupied by the Melbourne Fire Brigade. A section of the wrought iron gates from the original site in Albert Street is held in RANZCOG's historical collection.

Reproduction photograph of the front of a building. The building is three stories high. The lowest floor has eight large windows, with a door at centre, on the front side. One side window can also be seen at bottom right. There is a small flight of stairs leading up to the door. The second floor has eight windows in the same locations as the first floor, plus one additional window at centre instead of a door. The top floor is much smaller, with three small windows facing the front of the building. There are trees in the grounds in from of the building. House and grounds are enclosed behind a fence. There is a gate in the fence opposite the front door. Three figures are visible on the path outside the fence. One is at the centre of the image, and the other two are in the right hand corner. Text printed below image reads 'THE LYING - IN HOSPITAL circa 1870'. The image has been mounted and framed in a black wooden frame. An old display label for this image is attached to the back of the frame. handwritten text on backing board at back of work reads 'Probably prior to 1867 (J. Nattrass, 1968). Tape residue visible on backing board at upper right. A chain and two hooks have been added to the frame for hanging.

This is an image of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. Established as the Dublin Lying-In Hospital in 1745, it moved to its current location in 1757 and remains there to this day. This image was first published in Malton's 'A Picturesque and Descriptive view of the City of Dublin' in 1791.

A colour engraving of a white building with a red roof. A tower, topped by a dome, rises above the middle of the building. There are four decorative columns on the front of the building, and the entrance to the building is surrounded by a metal fence. There are various figures in the foreground of the image. On the left, there is a well dressed family group consisting of three adults and a child. At left of centre, a figure is riding a horse, which is being preceded by a dog. At centre, in the middle background, one tall and one short figure stand next to the metal fence surrounding the building and are peering inside. At right of centre, a figure is driving a two horse buggy. On the far right, the shadowed figure of a beggar is holding out their cap. There is a smaller building to the left hand side of the featured building, and additional buildings are visible in the right side background. Clouds are visible behind the buildings. Text below image reads 'Lying in Hospital'. The print is mounted and framed in a black wooden frame with gold trim. A display label for this print is attached to the back of the frame. Handwritten inscriptions on the back of the frame of the artwork read 'Rotunda Lying in Hospital/Dublin // 19th British Congress RCOG 1971' and 'Original engraving/James Malton. London,/December 1795.' There is a sticker attached to the bottom right of the back of the frame featuring a printed image of a stork in read and the text 'FRIENDS OF THE ROTUNDA HOSPITAL'. There are two hooks and a wire attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

"The Alfred Hospital was founded in 1869 as a result of the work of a number of Melbourne doctors who fought a long and internecine battle for an additional general hospital treating its first patient in 1871. Prahran Council donated a parcel of low lying land for the provision of a Hospital. In 1870, the Melbourne architect, Charles Webb, won the competition to design The Alfred Hospital with his revolutionary design. Webb incorporated the "Nightingale" design principles by designing large light filled pavilions as wards connected by covered corridors or walkways." (Alfred Health)

Small colour print mounted on a wood block. Print depicts a series of five red brick buildings at centre, with a dirt road snaking up from the left foreground to the front of the central building. A man is driving a two horse buggy along the dirt road towards the buildings. The landscape on either side of the road consists of grassland and low vegetation, as well as four shallow circular pits (two on either side) which contain vegetation. There are two figures in the right foreground cutting grass with scythes. A flock of birds is visible in the sky in the central background, above the main hospital building. Text printed below image reads 'THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE ALFRED HOSPITAL/By C.Webb, Arckitect (sic)'. The back of the wooden block to which the print is affixes is painted black, and a circular hook has been attached to the centre back of the block for hanging the artwork. The hook is gold coloured, and attached using two gold coloured pins and a small strap. Handwriting at bottom right of the back of the object reads 'ANN TAVELL'

'THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE ALFRED HOSPITAL/By C.Webb, Arckitect (sic)'

Dr Graeme Ross Duncan was the second President of the RNZCOG, between 1985 and 1987.

Head and shoulder portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing an academic cap and gown, with a wide purple sash running around the collar of the gown. The man has grey hair which is visible on the sides of his head and is wearing glasses. The man is wearing a dark coloured suit jacket, white shirt, and a dark coloured tie printed with a crest. A set of vertical blinds is visible in the background. The photograph is framed in a dark coloured wooden frame with gold trim on the inner edge, surrounding the image. Handwritten text at top centre on the back of the frame reads 'MR G DUNCAN/PRESIDENT RNZCOG'. A length of cord and two circular fittings have been attached to the back of the frame for hanging. There is a sticker attached to the bottom right hand corner of the back of the frame which gives the details of the photographer (James White & Associates Ltd)

Dr Liam Hugh Wright was the first President of the RNZCOG, between 1982 and 1984.

Head and shoulder portrait photograph of a man. The man is wearing an academic cap and gown, with a wide purple sash running around the collar of the gown. The man has grey hair, which is visible on the sides of his head, and is wearing a grey suit jacket, white shirt, and a tie with a dark coloured pattern beneath the robe. I set of vertical blinds is visible in the background. The photograph is framed in a dark coloured wooden frame with gold trim on the inner edge, surrounding the image. Handwritten text at top centre on the back of the frame reads 'MR LIAM WRIGHT/PRESIDENT RNZCOG'. A length of cord and two circular fittings have been attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

Colour group portrait photograph of the members of the RNZCOG Council. The group consists of nine men and one woman, arranged in two rows. Six men stand at the back, while three men and a woman sit in chairs in the front row. The group is pictured in front of a beige coloured wall. The wall features a gold coloured Roman numeral clock at centre behind the group, and a painting/print of a landscape on the right hand side. There are vertical blinds visible at the left of the image, and the roof of the room in which the photograph is taken can be seen to be sloped on the right hand side of the image. The photograph is framed in a brown wooden frame with gold trim. Handwriting on the back of the frame reads 'RNZCOG COUNCIL NAPIER MASTING CONFERENCE'. There is a cord stapled to the back of the frame for hanging.

Colour group portrait photograph of the members of the RNZCOG Council. The group consists of nine men and one woman, arranged in two rows. Six men stand at the back, while three men and a woman sit in chairs in the front row. The group is pictured in front of a beige coloured wall. The wall features a gold coloured Roman numeral clock at centre behind the group, and a painting/print of a landscape on the right hand side. There are vertical blinds visible at the left of the image, and the roof of the room in which the photograph is taken can be seen to be sloped on the right hand side of the image. The photograph is framed in a brown wooden frame with gold trim. Handwriting on the back of the frame reads 'RNZCOG COUNCIL NAPIER MASTING CONFERENCE'. There is a cord stapled to the back of the frame for hanging.

Large oil painting depicting a nude female figure sitting on an outcrop of rock which is located in a body of water. The figure is facing towards the right of the image, with one foot almost touching the surface of the water. The painting is set in a black wooden frame.

This is a copy of a print originally published in 1774 by James Bretherton (British, active 1755–1799), after Henry William Bunbury (British, 1750–1811). Antiscorbutic pills were intended to prevent, or cure, scurvy.

Black and white print, framed. Scene depicts two male 'quack' doctors (at image left) arguing over the relative merits of their antiscorbutic pills. The two men appear to have set up business directly opposite each other in the street, as a sign on the upper left of the image reads 'Dr WALKER'S/VERITABLE/ANTISCORBUTIC/PILLS/Beware of Impostors.' whilst a sign on the upper right of the image, directly opposite, reads 'TRUE/ANTISCORBUTIC/PILLS.' Directly behind the two men arguing, two dogs can be seen fighting each other. To the right of the men, the two wives of the doctors are also having a violent altercation, and to their right, two cats have their backs arched and are hissing at each other. There is a shield emblem resembling a coat of arms 'hanging' from the top centre of the image. The shield features images of two ducks, above the phrase 'QUACK QUACK QUACK'. Title for image is printed at bottom centre of image and reads 'MUTUAL ACCUSATION./Publish'd by Bretherton Ed. January 1774'. Text printed below image to the left of the title reads 'When once you've told and can't recall a Lye/Boldly, percist in't or your Fame will die.' (sic) Text printed below image to the right of the title reads 'Learn this ye Wives, with unrelenting Claws/Or right or wrong, Afsert your husbands cause.' (sic). Small text printed below bottom left corner of image reads 'Mr Bunbury del.' Small text printed below bottom right corner of image reads 'Js Bretherton f.'. Print is mounted on card and housed in a gold coloured wooden frame. A sticker for Gibson's Auctioneers is attached to the bottom right of the front of the frame, printed with the number '67'. There are two small auction house stickers stuck to the back of the frame of the work, as well as a sticker for the framer of the piece, Artist Framing Services. Two sets of D-rings and two wires have been attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

It is very likely that this is a painting that was presented to John 'Jack' Courier (1915-2007), who turned 80 in 1995. Courier left a bequest to the College consisting of a significant number of artworks by himself and others, including works by Peter Jacobs.

Mixed media artwork, using acrylic and watercolours. Painting appears to be an abstract head and shoulders portrait of a figure, possibly a man. The figure is facing towards the right of the painting, with mouth open - the head of the figure takes up the majority of the space in the painting. The figure appears to be holding something in their right hand, which is raised. There are four semicircular shapes along the bottom edge of the painting which the figure is depicted behind. Handwritten text at the bottom of the painting reads 'Happy 80th Jack/ Jacobs '95'. The image is mounted and framed in a grey wooden frame, behind glass. There are four small auction house stickers stuck to the back of the frame. A stamp for Separation Creek Valley Productions appears at bottom centre of the back of the frame. A cord has been stapled to the back of the frame at upper centre for hanging. D-rings and a wire have also been attached for hanging at the top of the back of the frame.

It is likely this item was received from the estate of John 'Jack' Courier. Courier left a bequest to the College consisting of a significant number of artworks by himself and others, including Peter Jacobs.

Stone coloured lithograph print of a figure in a bathtub. The head and shoulders of a figure are visible within a bathtub at the centre of the image. The top half of the face of the figure is obscured. There is a mirror visible in the background at the upper right of the image. Handwritten text below image reads " 'The Bathroom' 3/15 Jacobs 88". There is a large auction house sticker printed with the number '82' attached to upper right of reverse of the object. There are also two smaller auction house stickers attached to the upper section of the reverse of the object. Two D-ring fittings and a cord have been added to the reverse of the artwork for hanging. There is a sticker advertising the framer of the work at the bottom centre of reverse.

The Bathroom' 3/15 Jacobs 88