Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is the professional body for all specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists in Australia and New Zealand. The College has a museum collection comprising of O&G instruments. A key feature is a significant collection of obstetric forceps dating from the mid- 18th century to the present day. The advances in obstetric teaching, neo-natal investigation, as well as fertility investigation, infertility treatment and contraception are represented in the RANZCOG Museum collection.
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View on Google MapsThe RANZCOG Museum medical collection has medical equipment relating to the history of Obstetrics and Gynaecological practice and neonatal and postnatal care in Australia. The collection includes a fine collection of obstetric forceps, an extensive collection of contraceptive devices, fertility investigation equipment and some early Invitro- fertilization equipment, neonatal investigative equipment such foetal stethoscopes and ultrasound equipment, laparoscopy equipment, historic teaching models and a collection of microscopes.
401 items
401 items

Forceps, artery
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Artery forceps, Lanes straight, screw joint securing the blades x2
Historical information
Belonged to Dr Lorna Green, donated pre-1974

Syringe, enema, infants
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Infant enema syringe red rubber bulb attached to a white bone phlange attachment.

Dilator, uterine, Palmer's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Uterine dilator, Palmer's. Broken handle lever. illustrated in Tiemann, George The American Armaterium, page 503.
Historical information
Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.

Forceps, Aveling's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Aveling's, with ebony handles. Stamped "Meyer & Meltzer London & Melbourne"on inner arm.
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Forceps, Barclay's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Barclay's, all nickle plate metal, On label, identified by Bryan Hiibbard. Manufacturer: Jones Melbourne
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Magic Lantern
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Magic lantern or Baloptian [precursor to slide projector]. Model BC. Bausch & Lamb Optical Co, Rochester NY. Electrical, metal projector box with lens in bronze casing a timber frame for glass slides marked "(illeg.) PATENT ECLIPSE" an attached electrical lead with bakerlite plug. c1927.No slides, either missing or none received.
Historical information
Dr Mabel Maguire, widow of Dr Frederick Arthur Maguire (1888- 1953) donated it in 1962 along with a number of glass slides.Dr Maguire owned and used the item, giving Anatomy lessons to medocal students,. Used mostly in Sydney (University of Sydney) 1962

intruterine device
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Intra-uterine device, SAF.T. coil 33.s including an inserter, sealed in original sealed plastic packaging, unopened.
Historical information
Donated in 1993 by Dr Ronald McKenzie Rome.

Chair, examination
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Stirrup, metal detachable, for 12.1 Gynaecological examination chair, metal painted white, with one other detachable metal stirrup [12.3 ] Chair with a back panel, seat panel and leg panel. The leg panel can be adjusted upwards to make a table. The back panel has an upright and two reclining positions. The seat panel has a side mechanism that makes the panel tilt backwards, so that a patient can be positioned head downwards with legs upwards.

Insufflator/Applicator
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
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.
Historical information
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.

Saline infusion apparatus, Horrocks
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Saline infusion apparatus, "Horocks", metal lidded box [1969.1], oval, containing a gauze insert, a glass intravenous drip chamber [169.2], needle straight, intravenous [169.3], wire insert for the needle [169.4] and rubber tubing [169.5]. Inscribed inside box, "Down Bros., St Thomas Street, Borough of London.
Historical information
Dr Henry Mitchell O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town as a general practitioner in Casterton from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999.

Forceps,Barnes
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Zeigler, with ebony insert in handles. Manufacturer "Coxeter".
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Pessary, Gelhorn mushroom
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Clear plastic pessary consisting of three sections moulded together including a phlange with elevated ring, stem and bulb. A hole extends right through the centre of the device.

Pessary, Galabin's Anteversion
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Galabin's anteversion pessary, black vulcanite, came in six sizes. Label, typed "GALABIN'S ANTEVERSION PESSARY" and tag with string "Galabin's ante/version/ pessary". Illustrated Downs Bros.Catalogue, cANADIAN EDITION. PAGE 1038.

Blunt hook and crochet
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Blunt hook and crochet, fitting one handle. Manufacters stamp, "Mayer & Meltzer London"

Perforator, Blot's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Perforator, Blots's, with ebony handle, cross-hatch paterning. Stamped on handle,left side of joint screw "G.Marriere/ A. Paris". On right of joint screw, another illegible stamp.
Historical information
Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank Forster

Bag, medical
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Doctor's medical bag, leather with leather handle. Lining torn
Historical information
Item belonging to Dr Mitchell Henry O"Sullivan donated by his son David More O'Sullivan

Insturment case with unidentified instruments
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Instrument case, small, containing small silver knife, a small silver ladel with a sharp probe at one end, a tweezeer like instument and string with three hook attachments. Looks unused, not gynaecological, nasal?
Historical information
Donated by Miss Beatrice May Devlin, items that belonged to her paternal grandfather, Dr Henry William Devlin who graduated in Medicine from Dublin and worked at the Rotunda hospital, Dublin. He immigrated to Australia and was the first doctor to practise in Parkes NSW.Please refer to supplementary file filed under Accession number 1995001

Pessary, Hodges
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Pessary, black vulcanite, Hodges, irregular shape, moulded, medium size. "I.T.A.Y." inscribed on upper curve
Historical information
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.]

Forceps, Barnes
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Barnes forceps[left blade] with Simpsons handles, stainless steel blades, with black bakerlite hand grip attachment.
Historical information
Birth Obstetrical forceps

Forceps, dissecting
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, straight, dissecting, contained in chamois pocket dressing case [185.1]and other instruments. Marking, "1".

Container, tin
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Round metal tin with yellow label containing silkworm gut used for suturing.
Historical information
This item belonged to Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan�s (1892-1972) obstetric bag

Teaching model, female reproduction organs
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Teaching model- 3D Female Reproduction Organs Painted and numbered plastic mould, showing vagina and one ovary and fillopian tude in cross-section. The model is mounted on metallic grey painted timber panel. Manufacturer Adam Rouilly, London. label on lower right.].Monash Medical Centre Clayton. Accompanying booklet missing.
Historical information
Originally this teaching model belonged to Prince Henry's hospital library and was transferred to the Monash Medical Centre, Clayton in the 1970s by Sister Gertrude Berger, a famous nurse-educator, who is best known for her work leading up to the transfer of nursing education in Victoria from hospitals to universities in 1986.Gerty (as she was known in the School of Nursing) bought them in Europe in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Pessary, virginal
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Pessary, clear plastic, belonging to Olga Bolitho who inherited it from Dame Ella MacKnight. Used by Olga Bolitho once or twice, according to correspondence dated 14/5/00 from Olga Bolitho [held with the donation form]
Historical information
Dame Ella Macknight was an obstetrician and gynaecologist who worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Melbourne. She was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1969 for services to medicine. She gained her MB BS in 1928 from the University of Melbourne. After qualifying as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, (MD, Melb.1931, DGO Melb 1936), she was associated with the Queen Victoria Hospital from 1935-1977. Her appointments included honorary obstetrician and gynaecologist from 1935-1964; vice-president of the Committee of Management for 1963-1971 and president from 1971-1977. She was president of the Council of the Royal College of Gynaecologists from 1970-1972.After her death in 1996, her family set up a post graduate scholarship in her honour with the Royal College of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians.

Cranioclast, Simpson's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Simpson's cranioclast with bakerlite handle inserts.
Historical information
Instrument belonging to Dr Mitchell Henry O"Sullivan donated by his son David Moore O'Sullivan

Circumcision clamp
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
The "Little Trimmer" is a chrome metal device used to perform circumcisions.
Historical information
Used by Dr Cyrus Jones to perform circumcisions.

Vial, glass
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Glass vial with catgut number three "Ethicon" in sterile solution, [195.2].
Historical information
Dr Henry Mitchell O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town as a general practitioner in Casterton from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999.

Spatula, pap smear
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Stainless steel pap smear spatula 18cms in length. There is parallel scoring along the spatula's head.

Nipple shield
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Nipple shield[118.1], opaque plastic, second nipple shield missing, and manufacturer's box [118.2] and supplier business card [118.3]
Historical information
Donated by Dr Ronald McKenzie Rome, 19 August 1993.

Speculum, Auvard's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Auvard speculum, detachable weight. Stamped "RAMSAY", manufacturer. Inscribed with initials " C.K.C"
Historical information
This speculum had belonged to Dr Kelvin Churches who was an honorary at the Royal Women's hospital, Melbourne. The specucum, along with other items (see donation form in donation folder) was donated by Dr William Geoffrey Wicks in 1999.

Pessary, Galabin's Anteversion
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Thomas pessary, black vulcanite. Inscribed with number "60" Illustrated Allen & Hanbury's catalogue page 708 no. 5460. Tag attached inscribed "Thomas' pessary".

Cannula, Spackman's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
This Spackman's cannula was used by Dr Geoff Bishop during gynaecological laparscopioc surgery.He used this decice as a uterine elevator. Also, for testing tubal patency by inserting dye through it. Manufacturers stamp: ANAX.
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.]

Forceps, Kjelland's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Kjellands, obstetric, surgical steel. Owned and used by Dr Geoffrey Bishop.
Historical information
These forceps were owned and used by Dr Geoff Bishop and donated by him

Forceps, Denman's type
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Denman type, with ebony handles. Stamped "Meyer & Meltzer London & Melbourne" "17" stamped also on inner arm.
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Blunt hook
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Blunt hook, short, with fenstrated cross bar handle.

Dilator, uterine, Goodell's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Uterine dilator, Goodell's, stamped inside the blades '23". Manufacturers unknown.
Historical information
Most likely donated by Dr Frank Forster, possibly collected by him from colleagues initially.

Gown, college
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
President's College gown, RNZCOG, that belonged to the late Dr Mercia Barnes, President of RANZCOG (1991- 94). donated by Dr John Doig. Manufacturers' label, marked "103".
Historical information
RNZCOG Presidents gown, belonging to the late Dr. Mercia Barnes

Forceps, Anderson's-Mayer's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
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

Tubal insufflator
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Rubin's tubal insufflator apparatus, large cylidrical glass canister inside a portable plywood box with two doors with three glass nozzels at top with long rubber tubing attached on each. One surigical steel introducer, one glass introducer attached. No manometer to monitor gas pressure [incomplete or not available in this possibly early model?] Model may be dated c1919 or 1920s or 1930s. 1919 was the year Isoodor Clinton Rubin (1883-1958) introduced the apparatus to detect tubal patency and investigate infertility.
Historical information
Label with Cyrus Jones monogram.

Vectis
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Vectis, with mahogany handle, retractable, swivel notch above handle to fix and unfix the blade. no markings
Historical information
Most likely collected and donated by Dr Frank Forster

Curette, adenoid
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Curette, denoid chromium plated steel, "no. 7" stamped near the handle and hear the head, detachable from the handle wiith fluted grip on one side. 245.2 is a metacble snare with three teeth, swivels at the head
Historical information
These items were in the possession of Dr Lorna Green and donated sometime before 1974.

Dilator, uterine
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Uterine dilator, with attachments for tube attachment for douche.

Tongue depressor
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Tongue depressor or blade, an attachment for a mouth gage, possibly Boyle-Davis's.

Pessary, Eyeglass
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Pessary, black vulcanite, "eyeglass", stem style, small size.

Infant feeding bottle
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Clear glass bottle with six sides with calibrations in ounces and cubic centimetres 16.5 cms in length. Also included is the cream coloured plastic top. Embossed on side: "Evenflo and "Made in the USA".
Historical information
In Australia this type of bottle was known as "Truflow" which was also manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Pessary, Gordon
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Black vulcanite pessary with metal stem and hinged wings. This design is similar to a Zwanke's pessary. There are three small hinges in the middle of the wings and a metal stude. On the back of the left wing is the number "3 registered no. 5798". Makers name is included on the instrument.

Forceps,Denman's type
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Denman's type, mahogany inserts in handle. Manufacturer's stamp, "Burgoyne Ac Burbidge" [London] on inner arm.
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster

Fetal stethoscope
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
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.
Historical information
The Furgusson stethoscope was in use from 1866

Vial, glass
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Vial, glass containing "Ethicon" catgut number one [194.2] in sterile solution.
Historical information
Dr Henry Mitchell O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town as a general practitioner in Casterton from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. The gladstone bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated the obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999.

Infant Feeding Bottle
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Clear glass bottle with six sides with calibrations in ounces and cubic centimetres. 16.5 cms in length. Also included is the cream coloured plastic top. Plastic top has yellowed and the insert cap is missing.
Significance
In Australia this type of bottle was known as "Truflow" which was also manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.
Inscriptions & Markings
Embossed on side: "Evenflo and "Made in the USA"

Forceps, Hunter's
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists,
Forceps, Hunter's, with stamp symbol of Lion on inner arm. Designed by American James Bradbridge Hunter, c1885, Hunter devised a number of useful instrumens and devices. This forceps were evidnetly well used: the manufacterer stamp of the sybol is partially worn away, being located on the outer blade just above the german- type lock.
Historical information
Possibly collected by Dr Frank Forster.