Pills and potions.

The medical and nursing care provided in the hospital depends on a range of services – administration, catering, laundry, maintenance, allied health and much more.

The fourth vitrine embedded in the New Maitland Hospital’s timeline is a tribute to all the personnel and services that, over the years, have ensured the delivery of health care. The focus is on the hospital pharmacy as representative of the many ‘behind the scenes’ staff and work.

Pharmacy items are also a reminder that, from its foundation, the creating and dispensing of medicine was an integral part of hospital work.

**Pills and potions, New Maitland Hospital, January 2022.**

**Weighing scales and weights made by Ajax Scales Pty Ltd, Sydney.**

(Maitland Hospital Collection 399)

**Ceramic and wood mortar and pestle.**

(Maitland Hospital Collection 396)

Before the industrialization and packaging of medicines, mortars and pestles were among the tools used by pharmacists to make a variety of medicines. They were used to grind and mix herbs and powdered medicines.

This mortar is representative of equipment used for making medicines in the Maitland Hospital Pharmacy. It is indicative of the equipment, skills and knowledge involved in dispensing medicines for patients, and a reminder that pharmacists were (and are) charged with knowing their substances and being able to select, measure and mix accurately.

First matron.

Hospital staff.