Name/TitleDocument: Surgical Procedure Instrument Notes Written by Joseph Verco

About this objectFifteen notelets written by Joseph Verco, each page is the title of a surgical procedure with a complete list of the instruments and equipment required to perform the procedure.

The titles are:
Cleft palate – Hard
Hare Lip instruments
Tumour – Fatty of Thigh (Note on Reverse of Page)
Amputation of Finger
Removal of the Tongue
Amputation of the Foot
Tonsillotomy and Post Nasal Vegetations
Naevus
Hydatid of Brain
Cholecystectomy
Rectal Ulcer or Fissure
Fistula in Ano
Instruments for Recto Vesical Fistula (Note Template on Reverse)
Perineorrhaphy,
Vaginal Abscess & Abdom Tumour

The paper is dated from the 1880’s, the notes may have been made in the same era, or could have been for his private museum display after his retirement in 1919. There is some insect damage to five of the pages.

Date Made1880 to 1919

Medium and MaterialsPaper and ink

MeasurementsEach: L 20cm x W 12.5cm

Subject and Association DescriptionDr Joseph Cooke Verco was an Honorary Physician at the Adelaide Hospital and Lecturer in Medicine. He went to the United Kingdom for his medical education and had a distinguished student career at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, where, after qualifying, he was a resident medical officer. In 1876 he became M.D. (London) and, in 1877, F.R.C.S. England. He returned to Adelaide in 1878, where he initially worked as a general practitioner.

In 1880 he became an Honorary Medical Officer at the Adelaide Hospital and was also Honorary Physician at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital. He was associated with the Adelaide Medical School from the beginning and was also the founder of the Dental School and first Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry.

In 1919 a knighthood was conferred on Dr Verco. This was the first occasion on which such an honour was given to a medical man in South Australia for purely medical and scientific services.

Object TypeDocument / Brochure / Certificate

Object numberAR#4868