1890

This Operating table (also called an operating chair) was made by the firm Zoeller & Ross in their premises in Angel Place, off Pitt Street in Sydney. Carl Zoeller and D.H. Ross imported and manufactured state of the art medical and hospital supplies.

The table was ordered by a physician and made to strict specifications, judging by its four part design and consideration of patient comfort. It is constructed of timber and wrought iron, with separate, articulated sections for the head, torso and seat, and a lower section split into two for the legs. The metal foot rest has the makers name and logo on it. The design displays an understanding of how the patient should be supported during medical and surgical procedures.

Beneath the bed itself, the lower section has compartments and drawers designed to hold surgical instruments and supplies, and spaced for convenience of the doctor and nurses assisting him. It is especially unique because it was made here in the colony with Australian timber.

It is thought that the table was ordered especially for the Coast Hospital. It was part of the original Prince Henry Hospital Museum collection in the 1960’s.