VOL. 14, NO. 401.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1829. [PRICE 2d.
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The Siamese Twins.
[Illustration: The Siamese Twins.]
The Engraving is an accurate sketch of this extraordinary _lusus
naturae_, which promises to occupy the attention of the whole Town,
and has already excited no ordinary curiosity among all ranks of the
scientific and sight-loving. Deviations from the usual forms of nature
are almost universally offensive; but, in this case, neither the
personal appearance of the boys, nor the explanation of the phenomenon
by which they are united, is calculated to raise a single unpleasant
emotion. The subject is, therefore, not unfit for our pages, and the
following descriptive particulars, which we have collected from
various authentic sources, and our own observation, will, we are
persuaded, be read with considerable interest:
The earliest account of the Siamese Twins is by Dr. I.C. Warren, of
Boston, and was published in Professor Silliman's Journal of October
last. They were received of their mother by Captain Coffin and Mr.
Hunter, in a village of Siam, where the last-mentioned gentleman saw
them, fishing on the banks of the river. Their father has been some
time dead, since which they lived with their mother in a state of
poverty. They were confined within certain limits, by order of the
Siamese Government, and supported themselves principally by taking
fish. Their exhibition to the world was suggested to the mother as a
means of bettering their condition; to which proposition she acceded
for a liberal compensation, and the promised return of her sons at a
specific time. She accompanied them on board the ship and, as it was
not about to sail for some time, she was invited to remain on board;
but she declined, observing that she might as well part with them
then as a few days hence. They were first exhibited at Boston, and
subsequently at New York, in the United States. At Boston, Dr. Warren
was appointed to report on them; and such of his observations as are
free from anatomical technicalities, and otherwise adapted for our
pages, will be found in the subsequent pages. In the meantime, we
shall proceed with a more popular account of their present appearance,
which has some of the most interesting characteristics of human
nature.
They are two distinct and perfect youths, well formed and straight,
about eighteen years of age, and possessing all the faculties and
powers usually enjoyed at that period of life. They are united
together by a short band at the pit of the stomach. On first seeing
them, it may be supposed, so closely are their sides together--or
rather, they over-lap a little--that there is no space between them.
On examining them, however, they are found not to touch each other,
the band which connects them being, at its shortest part, which is the
upper and back part, about two inches long. At the lower front part
the band, which is there soft and fleshy, or rather like soft thick
skin, is about five inches long, and would be elastic, were it not for
a thick rope-like cartilaginous or gristly substance, which forms the
upper part of the band, and which is not above three inches long. The
band is probably two inches thick at the upper part, and above an inch
at the lower part. The back part of the band, which is rounded from a
thickening at the places where it grows from each body, is not so long
as the front part, which is comparatively flat. The breadth or depth
of the band is about four inches. It grows from the lower and centre
part of the breast of each boy, being a continuation of the
cartilaginous termination of the breast bone, accompanied by muscles
and blood-vessels, and enveloped, like every other portion of the
body, with skin, &c. At present this band is not very flexible; and
there is reason to believe that the cartilaginous substance of the
upper part is gradually hardening, and will eventually become bone.
From the nature of the band, and the manner in which it grows from
each boy, it is impossible that they should be in any other position
in relation to each other, but side by side, like soldiers, or coming
up a little to front each other. Their arms and legs are perfectly
free to move. The band is the only connexion between them; and their
proximity does not inconvenience either; each of them, whether
standing, sitting, or moving, generally has his arm round the neck or
the waist of the other. When they take the arm from this position, so
close are they kept together that their shoulders cannot be held
straight; and the near shoulder of each being obliged to be held down
or up, to allow them room to stand, gives them the appearance of being
deformed; but two straighter bodies can scarcely be seen.
In their ordinary motions they may be said to resemble two persons
waltzing. In a room they seem to roll about, as it were, but when they
walk to any distance, they proceed straight forward with a gait like
other people. As they rise up or sit down, or stoop, their movements
are playful, though strange, not ungraceful, and without the
appearance of constraint. The average height of their countrymen is
less than that of Europeans, and they seem rather short for their age,
even judging them by their own standard. They are much shorter than
the ordinary run of youths in this country at eighteen years of age,
and are both of the same height. In personal appearance there is a
striking resemblance between them; this, however, is but on first
impression, for, on closer examination, considerable difference will
be observed. The colour of their skin and form of the nose, lips, and
eyes, denote them as belonging to the Chinese; but they have not that
broad and flat face which is characteristic of the Mingol race. Their
foreheads are higher and narrower than those of their countrymen
generally. Both are lively and intelligent; they pay much attention to
what is passing around them; and are very grateful for any little
attention that is paid to them. As a proof of their intelligence, it
may be stated that they learned to play at Draughts very readily, and
were soon able to beat those who had assisted in teaching them. Their
appearance is perfect health. To their friends and attendants, and to
each other, they are said to be much attached. They appear to be
excellent physiognomists, for they read the countenance of the visiter
readily, and are easily affronted with any contemptuous expressions.
It is said they have not learnt any manual art beyond rowing a boat,
but they can run and jump, and climb cracks and rigging with great
facility. They are dressed in short, loose, green jackets and
trousers, the costume of their country, which is very convenient, and
allows the utmost freedom of motion, but does not show the form of the
boys to advantage. With their arms twined round each other, as they
bend down or move about, they look like a group of statuary. Dr.
Warren, in his report, states that he _never heard them speak to each
other_, though they were very fond of talking with a young Siamese,
who was brought with them as a companion. They, however, appear to
have a means of communication more rapid than by words. The point most
worthy of remark, in regard to their actions and movements, is, that
they seem, generally speaking, to be actuated but by one will; and
that from whichever of them the volition of the moment proceeds, it
seems imperative upon both. Occasionally, there is an exception to
this remark--as, on the voyage from Siam to the United States, when
one wanted to bathe, and the other refused, on account of the coldness
of the weather, they quarrelled on the subject.
Each has a name of his own--the one, _Chang_, and the other, _Eng_;
but, when persons wish to address them as one--to claim their
attention to anything, for example, or to call them--they are
addressed as--_Chang Eng_.
The union of twins is not an unusual occurrence, and various
anatomical collections present many such objects. Ambrose Paré relates
several instances. Dr. Warren is, however, of opinion, that the
_Siamese Boys_ present the most remarkable case of the _lusus naturae_
which has yet been known, taking into view the perfection and
distinctness of organization, and the length of time they have lived.
The whole phenomenon may be described in a very few words--_two
perfect bodies united and bound together by an inseparable link_. As
we have already stated, their health is at present good; but, observes
Dr. Warren, "it is probable that the change of their simple living for
the luxuries they now obtain, together with the confinement their
situation necessarily involves, will bring their lives to a close
within a few years." We hope that such will not be the result of their
leaving their native shores; and we are much pleased with this passage
in a letter from Drs. Samuel Mitchill and Anderson to Capt.
Coffin--"They (the youths) are under the protection of a kind and
benevolent gentleman, and we know you will take good care of them, and
if they live, return them to their homes again." Of their strength
many instances are related: since they have arrived in London they
have lifted a gentleman of considerable weight, with great ease; and
on this point Drs. Mitchill and Anderson say--"As they are so vigorous
and alert, we readily coincide that in ten seconds they can lay a
stout ordinary man on his back."
We shall not go out of our way to state half the curious questions
which forcibly arose in our minds on visiting this interesting
exhibition. One of the most important, and least easy of solution, is
the structure of the connecting band--how it is kept alive--whether
blood flows into and circulates through it from each, and passes into
the system of the other--whether it be composed of bone, as well as of
cartilage--and whether it could be safely divided? Upon examining the
connexion, or _cord_, Dr. Warren says--"Placing my hand on this
substance, I found it extremely hard. On further examination, the
hardness was found to exist at the upper part of the cord only, and to
be prolonged into the breast of each boy. Tracing it upwards, I found
it to be constituted by a prolongation of the _ensiform cartilage of
the sternum_, or extremity of the breast-bone. The cartilages
proceeding from each sternum meet at an angle, and then seem to be
connected by a ligament, so as to form a joint. This joint has a
motion upwards and downwards, and also a lateral motion--the latter
operating in such a way, that when the boys turn in either direction,
the edges of the cartilage are found to open and shut.
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"Besides this there is nothing remarkable felt in the connecting
substance. I could distinguish no pulsating vessel. The whole of this
cord is covered by the skin. It is remarkably strong, and has no great
sensibility, for they allow themselves to be pulled by a rope fastened
to it, without exhibiting uneasiness. On ship board, one of them
sometimes climbed on the capstan of the vessel, the other following as
well as he could, without complaining. When I first saw the boys, I
expected to see them pull on this cord in different directions, as
their attention was attracted by different objects. I soon perceived
that this did not happen. The slightest impulse of one to move in any
direction is immediately followed by the other; so that they appear to
be influenced by the same wish."
This harmony in their movements, Dr. Warren thinks, is a habit formed
by necessity. His further account of their habits is extremely
curious:
"They always face in one direction, standing nearly side by side,
and are not able, without inconvenience, to face in the opposite
direction--so that one is always at the right, and the other at the
left. Although not placed exactly in a parallel line, they are able to
run and leap with surprising activity. On some occasions a gentleman,
in sport, pursued them round the ship, when they came suddenly to the
hatchway, which had been inadvertently left open. The least check
would have thrown them down the hatchway, and probably killed one,
or both, but they leaped over it without difficulty. They differ in
intellectual vigour; the perceptions of one are more acute than those
of the other, and there is a corresponding coincidence in moral
qualities. He who appears most intelligent is somewhat irritable in
temper, while the other's disposition is mild."
The connexion between these boys might present an opportunity for some
interesting observations in regard to physiology and pathology. There
is, no doubt, a network of blood-vessels and some minute nerves
passing from one to the other. How far these parts are capable of
transmitting the action of medicines, and of diseases, and especially
what medicines and diseases, are points well worthy of consideration.
Dr. W. thinks that any indisposition of one extends to the other; that
they are inclined to sleep at the same time; eat about the same
quantity, and perform other acts with great similarity. Both he and
Mr. Hunter are of opinion that touching one of them when they are
asleep, awakens both. When they are awake, an impulse given to
one does not in the least affect the other. There is evidently no
impression received by him who is not touched. But the opinion just
mentioned is undoubtedly erroneous. The slightest movement of one
is so speedily perceived by the other, as to deceive those who have
not observed closely. There is no part of them which has a common
perception, excepting the middle of the connecting cord, and a space
near it. When a pointed instrument is applied precisely to the middle
of the cord, it is felt by both, and also for about an inch on each
side; beyond which the impression is limited to the individual of the
side touched.
"In the function of the circulation there is a remarkable uniformity
in the two bodies. The pulsations of the hearts of both coincide
exactly under ordinary circumstances. I counted seventy-three
pulsations in a minute while they were sitting--counting first in one
boy and then in the other; I then placed my fingers on an arm of each
boy, and found the pulsations take place exactly together. One of them
stooping suddenly to look at my watch, his pulse became much quicker
than that of the other; but after he had returned to his former
posture, in about a quarter of a minute his pulse was precisely like
that of the other; this happened repeatedly. Their respirations are,
of consequence, exactly simultaneous."
Dr. Warren next starts a question as to their moral identity, and
says--"There is no reason to doubt that the intellectual operations
of the two are as perfectly distinct as those of any two individuals
who might be accidentally confined together. Whether similarity of
education, and identity of position as to external objects, have
inspired them with any extraordinary sameness of mental action, I am
unable to say--any farther, at least, than that they seem to agree
in their habits and tastes." The concluding observation is on their
separation, which we may remark, appears to be to them a painful
subject; for whenever it is mentioned, they weep bitterly. Dr. Warren
thinks an attempt to cut the cord, or separate them, would be attended
with danger, though not necessarily fatal, and as they are happy in
their present state, he reasonably enough thinks such an operation
uncalled for. "Should one die before the other," adds he, "they should
be cut apart immediately." He, however, quotes a case from Ambrose
Paré, of two girls united by the forehead, one of whom died at ten
years of age, when a separation was made; and the wound of the
surviving girl soon proved fatal.
From the report of Drs. Mitchill and Anderson, we collect their
opinion that the band which joins these boys, has a canal with a
protrusion of viscera from the abdomen of each boy, upon every effort
of coughing or other exercise. The sense of feeling on the skin of
this band is connected with each boy, as far as the middle of its
length from his body. There can be no doubt, but that if the band was
cut across at any part, a large opening would be made into the belly
of each, and the wound prove fatal.
Such are the principal and most popular descriptive details of the
Siamese Youths, with the substance of the reports of the American
physicians who have examined them. Of course, we look with some
anxiety for the opinions of the professional men of our own country.
Of equal importance are the questions connected with the _minds_ of
the two youths, which can only be settled by continued observation.
The phenomenon is altogether of the most attractive character, and
will doubtless receive all the attention it deserves from our
_savans_, as well as from all those who delight in witnessing the
curiosities of Nature.
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