HI/2016-7-2 | Births and Deaths Registration and Marriage Acts Centenary Medal | Medal commerating the centenary of the Births and Deaths Registration and Marriage Acts. Obverse shows profiles of King George VI and a young Queen Victoria, surrounded by the words "Births & Deaths Registration & Marriage Acts" and the years 1837 and 1937 on either side. On the reverse, a lit torch surrounded by the words "Birth - Marriage - Death". In original presentation box, which is dark blue in colour, the words "B.D. AND M. CENTENARY 1837-1937" in gold on lid. | 1937 |
HI/2016-7-9 | Silver War Badge | Circular silver pin badge. On the obverse, the Royal cypher "GRI" with crown atop. Around the edge are the words: "FOR KING AND EMPIRE" and "SERVICES RENDERED". On the reverse is stamped the serial number "199378". This number is associated with Private Patrick Hayes of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Regimental Number 14741, enlisted 27/9/14, discharged 20/6/17 (information from the Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920 on 'ancestryinstitution.com'). The badges were designed to be worn on civilian clothes by British service personnel after discharge from the various armed services; their main purpose was "to prevent men not in uniform and without apparent disability being thought of as shirkers - it was evidence of having presented for military service, if not necessarily serving for long" (https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/silver-war-badge-and-kings-certificate-of-discharge). | 1916-1920 |
HI/RCPI-35 | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Crested Neck-Tie | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland crested neck-tie. Greyish green with thin purple strips and grey lining. Labels attached read: "William Turner & Son/MADE IN U.K./Telephone [number]" and "SILK/POLYESTER/DRY CLEAN ONLY". | 1975-2025 |
KC/2/2/6/1 | Education and Training Committee | Seven documents including letters, minutes, conference talks and handwriten notes regarding the education and training standards for physicians in Ireland compared with the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Greece. | 1974-1994 |
MIMM/1995-1-3 | Sparklet Pocket Apparatus in Case | The faux-brown leather cardboard case features gold ink lettering that reads "Sparklet Pocket CO2 Snow Outfit." Upon opening, the case reveals two informational leaflets and three compartmentalised sections, each carefully designed to securely hold the components of the Sparklet apparatus. In one of the compartments, a refill bulb is stored, labelled as being manufactured by Sparklets Ltd.
The apparatus consists of a metal cylinder labelled “SPARKLET HOLDERS J SIZE,” which serves as a holder for the carbon dioxide bulb. The bulb is a pressurised container of carbon dioxide, vital for producing CO2 snow. An assembly made of ebonite and metal, comprising an ebonite cap and a metal adaptor, attaches to the holder. This assembly screws securely into place, creating a sealed chamber.
By applying downward pressure to the mechanism, the bulb is pierced, releasing its contents to generate CO2 snow within the chamber. A mould made of metal and ebonite is then inserted into the chamber to compress the CO2 snow. Once a removable lid (now missing) is taken off, the solidly compressed snow stick can be extracted from the device.
The accompanying leaflets provide detailed instructions for the apparatus’s assembly and operation, emphasising its innovative design for producing CO2 snow in a highly portable and compact form.
Manufactured by Sparklets Ltd, this instrument was used in dermatology to treat naevi, lupus, warts, moles, rodent ulcers, and other skin blemishes through cryotherapy. Today, modern cryosurgery instruments use liquid nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide for freezing tissue.
This instrument was of Dr. Geoffry Bewely and donated by Dr. Mary Bewely in 1995. | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2009-1/80 | Rectal Speculum | This is a detachable rectal speculum, fully sanitizable. In five parts, including a battery compartment and probe. The main body is engraved: "PAT. NO. 361581" and "British Make" while the the battery compartment is engraved: "Ever Ready", "BRITISH MADE" and "PAT. NO. 345948". Signs of corrosion and stains are visible. No maker’s mark is present but based on the patent registration, it can be linked to Fannin. A rectal speculum is used to keep the anus open for diagnostic viewing of the rectum or for anal surgery, allowing examination of the lining of the rectum and anus for signs of injury, disease, or abnormalities. The speculum is inserted into the anus and the battery-operated light helps illuminate the area for better visibility during the examination. | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2009-1/81 | Kelly Proctoscope | This is a proctoscope of the Kelly type. It is made of metal, by “Down England” as engraved. It features a hollow tubular structure, with a detachable bullet tip, a flat handle, and a blunt tip.
A rectal speculum is used to keep the anus open for diagnostic viewing of the rectum or for anal surgery, allowing examination of the lining of the rectum and anus for signs of injury, disease, or abnormalities. The speculum is inserted into the anus, and the battery-operated light helps illuminate the area for better visibility during the examination. | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2009-1/113 | Anaesthetic Chloroform Bottle | This is an amber glass stoppered bottle. It features a damaged white plastic wrap on the lid and an orange label with black ink writing stating: “Poison. Specially Purified Anaesthetic Chloroform. Answers all recognised tests for purity and stability. Store in a cool, dark place. J. F. Macfarlan & Co., 8 Elstree Way, Boreham Wood, Herts. Also in Edinburgh. Made in Great Britain. Filled…” The bottle is empty, with signs of wear and tear present.
Chloroform, a sweet-smelling liquid, was historically used as an anaesthetic to induce unconsciousness during surgeries. However, due to its potential health risks, including liver and kidney damage, and the availability of safer alternatives, its use in medicine has significantly declined. | 1900-1949 |
MIMM/2009-1/124 | Ethicon Mersutures | This is a black cardboard box with a yellow and white label that says in black and red ink: “One dozen tubes - sterile Non-boilable Ethicon Mersutures guaranteed U.S.P. Knot Tensile Strength Minimum gauged in accordance with B.P. 1953 Code M. 453 - Suture Material Medd. Chromic Catgut 30’’ (76.2 cm) 2/0 B.P. - Needle Atraloc Intestinal Half-Circle 50 mm Batch No. B1842 Date of Manufacture 27-9-55 Ethicon Suture Laboratories Ltd. Edinburgh, Scotland. Made in Britain.”
Inside the box, there are 9 slots, and 8 of them have clear glass tubes containing liquid, the catgut wrapped around a white plastic board, and a label saying “Non-boilable Ethicon Mersuture (regd.) Sterilised Surgical Suture (Catgut) 30’’ (76.2 cm) Medium Chromic Single Intestinal 1/2 Circle Needle 50 mm Size 2/0 Code M453 Batch B1842 B.P. Import Licence No.: South Africa 6; Pakistan 627” on one side, and “Manufactured by Ethicon Suture Laboratories Ltd. Edinburgh Under Department of Health for Scotland Licence No. TS(M)4” on the other.
On the back, a smaller label, yellow and white, has black and red ink writings: “Tested for sterility. Samples from this lot of sutures have been tested and certified sterile by our bacteriological laboratory. Tubing fluid contains phenylmercuric nitrate 0.02% (non-readable text). Manufacturing licence T.S. (M) 4. Ethicon Suture Laboratories Limited.” | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2009-1/202 | Instrument Steriliser | This is an Instrument Steriliser, made of nickel-plated metal. It consists of a boiler, a perforated tray, a lid, and foldable legs. It also has two detachable hooks that can be attached to the foldable handles of the tray to facilitate the extraction and handling of the tray from the boiler. The lid has two handles with rubber features. On the bottom of the boiler, "British Made" is stamped. | 1900-1949 |
MIMM/2012-9/19 | Set of Trocars and Cannula | This is a set of metal trocars with detachable cannulae. One trocar is blunt-ended, whereas the other has a sharp end. On the handle, the blunt trocar is engraved with “Down Mayer,” and the other with “British Made”. Signs of wear and tear present. Part of the Dr Diarmuid O’Driscoll Collection. | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2013-2-3 | Air-Viva Resuscitator | Rectangular green leather case with plastic handle on the lid, and frontal metal locks, contains "Air-Viva" Resuscitator, made in Australia by CIF (Commonwealth Industrial Gases Limited) as printed. Inside the case, the lid is lined with printed instructions, and the resuscitator is housed with its components. It consists of a plastic reservoir bag, a facemask (made in the UK as engraved) and an angled clear plastic non-rebreathing patient valve with silicone rubber diaphragm, as patented in 1962. The kit is incomplete as a second face mask is missing.
More items (MIMM/2013-3, MIMM/2013-4, MIMM/2013-5, MIMM/2013-6, MIMM/2013-7, and MIMM/2013-8) were housed in the case, but were removed as not originally part of the set. The item was used in Adelaide Hospital. | 1950-1999 |
MIMM/2014-3/4 | Higginson's Enema | This is a Higginson-type enema, now in two pieces. It is composed of black-painted red India rubber, now stiff due to wear and tear, and a bone pipe. The bone pipe is attached to the broken tip of the tube, which was connected to the pump body at one end. At the other end, another tube would have ended with a shield that would have been immersed in water. The bulb-shaped pump would then have been squeezed to flow the water and make the enema work. On the surface of the pump, there are some stains and residues, and a maker's stamp is slightly visible in a double oval print in black ink, with the readable text "British Make".
This type of enema was used for colonic irrigation and cleansing the bowel. It was often employed to treat constipation or to prepare patients for medical procedures that required a clear bowel. | 1900-1949 |
MIMM/2017-5/55 | Schimmelbusch Mask | This is a Schimmelbusch-type mask. The device features a wire frame, constructed from two intersecting metal wires that lock together at a depression at the point of intersection. A hinge would have secured the gauze (which is missing) stretched over the bars. The mask is made of nickel-plated metal and shows signs of corrosion.
The handle is engraved with “British Made”, but the maker is unknown.
The German physician Curt Schimmelbusch designed this mask around 1889 to prevent gauze, doused in anaesthetic, from irritating the patient’s skin, and it is still used in some countries. | 1900-1949 |
MIMM/2017-5/73 | Freedman Inhaler in Case | The cream-coloured wooden case features a brown leather strap. Upon opening, the case reveals an empty tin bottle of Trilene alongside the Freedman Inhaler apparatus made by A. C. King London (as engraved at the top).
The apparatus comprises an amber glass jar, serving as the vaporising chamber, designed to hold the liquid anaesthetic Trilene. This jar is secured within a robust twist-lock metal casing that incorporates a wick system for controlled vaporisation. A clamping screw mechanism allows the device to be firmly affixed to a bedside or similar surface, ensuring stability during use.
The metal lid, sealed with an India rubber gasket, features a refill point for anaesthetic and is engraved with "Keep level when filling". Attached to the top of the lid is a metal outlet tube, which connects to a flexible India rubber hose. This hose terminates in a second metal tube equipped with a face mask, designed to deliver the anaesthetic vapour to the patient. The india rubber tube and mask are damaged.
The Trilene tin bottle features a blue lid and has the following writings: "ICI 250ml Trade Mark Trilene Trichloroethylene B.P. For Anaesthesia or Surgical Use. Warning: Not to be used in a closed circuit with soda lime. Imperial Chemical Industries Limited Pharmaceuticals Division Wilmslow Cheshire Made in Great Britain. Directions for opening: Remove cork closure and pierce the diaphragm. Caution: 'Trilene' or its vapour is not inflammable but it must not come into contact with hot surfaces as toxic decomposition products are thereby produced. Keep the container securely closed and protect the contents from light and air. 290149/1" and on the bottom "DU233".
The apparatus, devised by Dr. Abraham Freedman, was a pioneering device that enabled the self-administration of Trilene (trichloroethylene) for pain relief, particularly during labour. | 1925-1975 |
MIMM/2018-5-54 | Urine Test Stand | This is a urine test stand, made from mahogany wood, provided with shelves and slots to hold items used for urinalysis. The set is incomplete, but it includes all components made of clear glass, such as one urine measuring jar, seven test tubes of varying sizes (one large, four medium, and two smaller), two stoppered bottles, and one spirit lamp. It was used for routine urine analysis to detect conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and infections.
The urine measuring jar features an embossed scale ranging from 1/4 to 2 ounces, indicating its use for precise urine volume measurement.
One of the two stoppered bottles features a damaged white label with black writing, which partially reads: "FANNIN & CO Chemist and Surgical (...), 41 Grafton Street (...)." The bottom of the bottle is embossed with "2/60," and its clear glass stopper is marked with "Patent No. 117403." Both the internal part of the lid and the neck of the bottles have a satin finish for secure sealing and chemical preservation. The second bottle has the same design features but has the number 46 manually embossed on top, while the other has the number 6.
The spirit lamp, used for heating urine samples in chemical tests and sediment analysis, features a cotton wick and a copper tip. The bottom of it is embossed with "British Made AFM." | 1900-1949 |
MIMM/2020-6-2 | Watson Intestinal Biopsy Capsule | Black faux-leather box contains the Watson Intestinal Biopsy Capsule as written in gold on the lid, an improved version of Crosy's biopsy set. The interior lid is lined with white silk and fitted with strings to hold a foam pad and a leaflet. The blue velvet base holds an incomplete biopsy set, including the capsule, loading hook, tube, and Allen key. Made in the UK by Ferraris as indicated in leaflet.
Donated by Kevin Connolly. | 1950-1999 |
MIMM/2020-6-3 | Watson Intestinal Biopsy Capsule | Black faux-leather box contains the Watson Intestinal Biopsy Capsule as written in gold on the lid, an improved version of Crosy's biopsy set. The interior lid is lined with white silk and fitted with strings to hold a foam pad and a leaflet. The blue velvet base holds an incomplete biopsy set, including the capsule, loading hook, tube, and Allen key. Made in the UK by Ferraris as indicated in leaflet.
Donated by Kevin Connolly. | 1950-1999 |
MIMM/2021-8/116 | Selection of Medical Tubes | Selection of medical tubes for blood/urine/swab collection and analysis. | [1950-1999] |
MIMM/2021-8/117 | Carwardine's Saccharometer | Carwardine's saccharometer. Clear glass, engraved with a measurement scale and the words "Carwardine's Saccharometer" and "British Make". Used to determine the concentration of sugar in urine. | [1900-1949] |