Surgical Ligature (catgut) - F H Faulding

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1941

Overview

unopened sealed (brand new) small white square box with yellow and white information labels adhered around the sides. handwritten words scrawled on top label

Historical information

Catgut suture is a type of surgical suture made of twisted strands of purified collagen taken from the small intestine of domesticated ruminants or beef tendon. It is naturally degraded by the body's own proteolytic enzymes. Full tensile strength remains for at least 7 days, and absorption is complete by 90 days. This eventual disintegration makes it good for use in rapidly healing tissues and in internal structures that cannot be re-accessed for suture removal.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2026.260

Item type

Medical Equipment

Themes

Medicine and Health

Material

Cardboard

Paper

Width

65 mm

Height or length

45 mm

Depth

65 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Top of box, black text on yellow label:
"sterile surgical ligature (catgut). The London Hospital. Plain Catgut.(Morley's Process). One dozen five feet strands. Prepared throughout at the London Hospital, London, England, and in accordance with theTherapeutic Substances Regulations 1931. Licence No 37. The London Hospital (Ligature Dept Ltd), London, England"

Labels wrapped round sides of box:
side (a) : "Specially packed for Australia. Principal Agents throughout Australia: Messrs F H Faulding & Co Ltd.
side (b) : "Batch No. 38984"
side (c) : "Date of Manufacture 27 Feb 1941"
side (d) : "Messrs F H Faulding & Co Ltd -
James Place, Adelaide
313 Murray Street, Perth
98 Castlereagh Street, Redfern Park, Sydney, NSW
123-125 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Charlotte Street, Brisbane

Handwritten across yellow label, the words "Fishing Lines"

Contextual information

Catgut sutures are derived from the intestines of sheep or cattle. Specifically, they are crafted from the submucosa of sheep intestines or the serosa of cattle intestines. This tissue is processed to isolate and purify its main component: collagen. The purified collagen is then twisted into strands to create the final suture material. Because they are made from this natural protein, the body's own enzymes can break them down and absorb them over time. This biological composition is what gives catgut its signature absorbable property, making it a go-to choice in the world of dental and surgical supplies.

Keywords

Medical-surgery

Sutures

Health and Hospitals

Place made

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Year

1941

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance