Name/TitleEquipment: Working Model of Theatre Operating Table
About this objectThis handcrafted wooden scale model of the Royal Adelaide Hospital's original operating table was made in 1888 as a working prototype. Designed by Surgical Mechanic and Instrument Custodian John Wood in collaboration with Dr William Gardener, Honorary Consulting Surgeon.
The rectangular table is built from polished timber with brass fittings and features manually adjustable components including two hinged side sections and a moveable head/shoulder rest. There is a recessed blue-lined drainage channel around the perimeter for directing fluids into a receptacle (probably bucket) below.
Date Made1888
Place MadeAdelaide, Australia
Place NotesAdelaide Hospital
Medium and MaterialsWood with metal fixings, leather
MeasurementsApproximately 60cm long
Subject and Association DescriptionPhotographs of the 'new' operating theatre illustrate the full-size operating table. Mr John Wood, Surgical Mechanic and Instrument Custodian, worked at the hospital for 38 years. His job consisted of two parts, one was as a theatre attendant and the other was making and maintaining the hospitals instruments. He also earned a small fee teaching medical students about the names and uses of surgical instruments. Refer AR#300
Dr William Gardner was one of the first Honorary Surgeons at RAH. He was a key figure in planning and developing a new operating theatre block. When the hospital board members attended the official opening of the theatre block, they gave him the honour of performing the first operation in the new theatre.
Named CollectionRoyal Adelaide Hospital
Object TypeEquipment
Object numberAR#2818
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved