Elizabeth Anderson-Wisely is a student with University of Melbourne’s Masters of Cultural Materials Conservation program. Elizabeth is interning with the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History from September-November 2024.
I began interning with the Geoffrey Kaye Museum (GKM) in late September over a course of 15 days. It was exciting getting to see the inner workings of the museum and learning more about anaesthetic’s as a profession. Working alongside curator, Veronica Dominiak, it was a pleasure to learn how the museum operated and seeing how well a collection of over 9000 objects was preserved and cared for, despite the lack of staff and resources.
Elizabeth working on some Plastic Oropharyngeal Airways
Alongside another classmate, I worked with numerous objects from the collection to examine their condition and analyse any potential risks that may occur to the objects we were working with. I predominantly worked with a collection of plastic and rubber oropharyngeal airways as well as a bar of surgeon’s soap that was fully intact in its original container. Unfortunately, plastics have begun to deteriorate rapidly in most collection institutions.
Image of the Oropharyngeal Collection at the GKM
The best methods for conserving these objects are to apply preventative conservation methods such as maintaining the humidity and temperature levels. Plastics are highly susceptible to deterioration when they are in the wrong environment for too long. Light sources often cause plastic materials to become discoloured or brittle. Some plastics even go through a phase of stickiness when there is a loss of plasticizer, and regrettably there are currently no ways to reverse this deterioration.
Other common issues we face when dealing with plastics in conservation is that many other products can cause the deterioration process to accelerate, which is a pretty big problem when a large majority of the oropharyngeal airway collection features metal components. However, the GKM has done a wonderful job preserving their collection. They are stored in the appropriate conditions, and are only subjugated to light, pollutants, unstable temperatures and humidity levels for short periods of time and only when required.
Plastic and Rubber Oropharyngeal Airways in the GKM collection.
Working with the plastic and rubber oropharyngeal airway collection, was an interesting opportunity for me as plastics are not something I originally had much knowledge or interest in. Working with the GKM collection however has taught me about the proper care and conservation for these types of objects. It’s always a really great feeling being able to help out wherever possible.
My time with the Geoffrey Kaye Museum was enlightening and gave me a large confidence boost with my abilities. Although this is not my first time working with a medical collection, it’s always fascinating seeing the different aspects of the world of medicine. It also helps with my fear of needles.
It’s been great to work alongside Veronica and the rest of the knowledge resource team at ANZCA and I will forever be grateful to the opportunity they granted me.
Elizabeth Anderson-Wisely is a student with University of Melbourne’s Masters of Cultural Materials Conservation program. Elizabeth is interning with the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History from September-November 2024.