DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER LIBRARY HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIPLOTERATOLOGY; OR A HISTORY OF SOME OF THE MOST WONDER- FUL HUMAN BEINGS THAT HAVE EVER LIVED IN DOUBLE FORM, AND A SCRUTINIZING- VIEW INTO THE MARVELOUSLY STRANGE FREAKS OF NATURE, AND CAUSES OF SAME. By H. BESSE, M. D. DELAWARE, OHIO : GAZETTE STEAlt BOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 1874. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by H. BESSE.M. D., in the Office of Librarian of Congress, at Washington. All rights reserved Bound by Wl. Goerke, Winter Street, Delaware, Ohio INDEX PAGE, Introductory Remarks, 7 Diverse Duplicity, 9 Minnie and Mina Finley. (Authors First Visit), il Description of Minnie and Mina, 13 Opinions of the Press, 25 Agent and Physician, 30 Editorials, 33 Receptions of Double Babe, 42 Questions asked by visitors, 43 Bicephatic Monstrosity, 40 Deatii of Double Child, 50 After Death, 53 Autopsy of Minnie and Mina, 55 Nurse Woman, 72 The Carolina Twins, 72 The Siamese Twins, 92 Early youth of Siamese Twins, 96 Death of Siamese Twins 103 Medical Opinions of Siamese Twins, 112 Physiology of Siamese Twins, US Official Rport of Autopsy of Siamese Twins, 124 The Hungarian Sisters, 146 Josephine Myrtle C— 147 Two Headed Child of Sardinia, 149 Two Headed Child of Zerbst, 151 Double Woman, 152 Scotch Double Man, 153 Two Headed Child of Emmons, 154 The Milanese Girls 155 The Kentucky Twins, 156 Double Child, by T. H. Tanner, M. I) 162 Double Child, by J. G. Swayne, M. D., 163 Double Child, by W. Willis, Esq., 164 United Childreu, by Dr. Burns, 165 Double Child, by Dr. Churchell, 166 Double Child of Ireland, 163 Double Child, by Dr. Berry, 187 The Maryland Twins, 168 United Heads of Two Indian Children, 170 An Interesting Case, the Siamese Twins in Minature, 172 Monstrosities in Lower Animals,. h . 176 Monsters and Malformations, ...177 Causes of Congenital Monstrosity, 179 Hereditary Causeg of Malformation, .182 Liliputians, 185 Daniel Lambert (the Corpulant Man), 187 Henry Jenkins (aged 169), ,291 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE. Frontispiece, 5 Minnie and Mina 11 Abdominal Cyst, 64 Diagram of Rudimentary Pelvis, 66 View of Cysts, 68 The Carolina Twins, 74 The Siamese Twins » . . 92 Diagram of the Band, 131 Diagram of the Livers, 135 Josephine Myrtle C — 145 Two Headed Child of Sardinia, 149 The Kentucky Twins, 157 Double Liver, 168 MINNIE AND MINA FINLEY, Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/diploteratologyo01bess INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. I object ia writing and arranging this vo- lume is to open a further view into the won- ders of nature, as manifested in the Anatom- ical and Physiological structure and action of several of the most wonderful of natures productions, and that the subject of its pages may be preserved for the benefit of future generations, and the memory of those strange beings may not be forgotten. The descriptions of some of these are by the author, from personal observations and examinations ; and other descriptions, by such men as Wm. N. Pancost, M. D., of Philadelphia, F. Getchell, M. D., of Philadelphia, R. M. Townsend, M. D., of Philadel- phia, Calvin Ellis, M. D., of Boston, Mass., Jerome Kidder, M. D., of New York, George I. 8 INTRODUCTORY BeSCARKS. Fish ee, M. 13., of Few York, Prof. A. B. Cook, A. M., M. D., professor of surgery in the Jxentuckv School of Medicine, Richmond and Louisville medi- cal journals, British medical journals, and many of the leading papers and periodicals of this country and Europe. The descriptions given by the above and others are so clear, full, and exact, that it would be folly for me to attempt to improve upon them, and therefore I give the language of the several writers. United Twists. — I shall attempt to show that united twins appear under a great variety of forms, and under very diverse degrees of duplicity. Some- times the two individuals are complete in all respects, and are found united by the front of the chests and abdomen, or by the backs, or by their heads and scalps, or by the pelvis, or by the arms and sides. It is a rule in Teratology that like parts are always the point of union, and I believe there is no case on record where nature has departed from this rule. DIVERSE DUPLICITY. IREQUENTLY the two united persons are more, or Jess incomplete in consequence of their junction being more intimate and deep at the line of union. The degree of incompleteness which thus occurs varies indefinitely. In some cases they are entirely double, in the upper parts, and single in the lower parts; or in other words, they possess two heads and four arms, but only two lower extremities. Again, others are single above and double below; or have one head and four lower extremities. In these varying degrees of double union, every conceivable gradation is found in the intermediate parts and organs, and the junction, however diverse between the united individuals, con- forms to the general law, as above stated, that in the two the same parts only unite to the same parts, and not only muscle only to muscle, bone only to bone, but the same muscle in the one twin unites at the line of conjunction to the same muscle in the other twin, 10 Diverse Duplicity. the same bone to the same bone, and the same nerve to the same nerve. The same organ and part, as in- testines, liver, pericardium, &c., to the same organ and part in the opposite twin whenever the connection extends to these and other parts. We may truly wonder at the diversity of nature, yet we always find her true to herself in the anatomi- cal structure of united twins. We are confident that you will feel well paid for the time you spend in reading this work, and at the same time be filled with wonder and astonishment, at the strange beings described in the following pages, any one of which far excels any one of the seven wonders of the ancients, which were “ the Egyptian Pyramid, the Mausoleum, erected by Artemesia, the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, the wall and hanging gardens of Babylon, the Colossus, at Bhodes, the statue of Jupiter Olympius, and the Pharos or Watchtower of Alexandria.” All of the so called “ rvonders of the world,” combined, will not, in our opinion, compare with “ one of the least of these.” Without doubt, the strange beings brought to view in this volume are the most remarkable that the world has ever produced ; and the author cannot but hope that the volume will prove an acceptable addi- tion to the libraries of all who are fond of the curi- osities of human nature. MINNIE AND MINA l^r AA ^iisfN^w\.' Jv THE AUTHOR’S FIRST VISIT TO THE DOUBLE CHILD, MINNIE AND MINA FINLEY. HIS visit was when this wonderful babe was but a few days old. Having heard that there was a very strange child born in Peru town- ship, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 12th of October, 1870, the author, in company with the following Phy- 12 Minnie and Mina. sicians and Surgeons, (C. Welch, M. D., J. H. White, M. D., E. H. IIyatt, M. D., J. McCann, M. D., J. M. Cherry, M. D., and W. T. Constant, M. I)., all of Delaware, Ohio,) started from the above named place, and traveled a distance of about ten miles in a Northeast direction, when we arrived at the residence of Joseph Finley, the Father of the wonderful child. At this time there were no visitors allowed, but finally they consented to let us sec it, as we were Physicians, by paying one dollar each, which we glad- ly did. They had hard work to keep their house from being over crowded with visitors, and thus en- danger the health if not the lives both of Mrs. Finley and her wonderful offspring. DESCRIPTION. |r§E found two perfect heads, one a little larger than the other, but both well formed, and developing a fine mental or- ganization ; two perfect, well formed necks, shoulders,, arms and bodies ; to the umbilicus, or navel, which was one in common, two hearts, two stomachs, and every evidence of two perfect beings and sep- arate existences, until they were united at the na- vel, and here, at this point, the two bodies unite: and form one body, and the genital organs are that of one female child. On one side are two well formed legs, extending from the side of the body at an equal distance from each head, and at right angles from the body, perfect in all respects, with the excep- tion of a slight twist in one of the feet. At the oth- er side of the body, a double leg, or two legs united or blended into one ; this extended also at right an- 14 Description. gles. This doable leg terminates in a double foot, on which are eight toes and two heels. This child or ehildren, when lying on their backs may be describ- ed as forming a cross ; that is, the body or two bodies united, with a head at each end of the common body, forming one straight line, and the two sets of legs projecting at, right angles from the body form anoth- er straight line. That the reader may the better un- derstand the form or shape of this wonderful child, we will refer him to the plate. One child would sleep while the other would be awake, or both would sleep at once or be awake at once, or one would cry while the other would keep quiet, &c. We noticed that when one of the children awoke, the arms as well :as the perfect leg belonging to, or nearest the head of that child, began to move, and this, also, when the other end or child awoke, then its two arms and one perfect leg would move. Indeed, each child had the entire control of the perfect leg nearest to it, while either one had partial control of the double leg. For some time after its birth the smallest one was a little sickly and did not feed well, but at the time of our visit it fed as heartily as the other, and appeared to be doing finely. About that time Mrs. Finley had named them Mina and Minnie. The parents of the Double Child, Mina and Min- nie Finley, are Joseph Finley and Ann Eliza Description. 15 Finley. Joseph Finley was born in Rostraver Tp., Westmoreland Co., Pa., August 18th, 1824, and he removed to Union county, Ohio, in 1845, with his father, James V. Finley, now of that county. Joseph enlisted in the 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1862, and served in the South and Southwest for three years, during which time he never lost a day from sickness, absence or any other cause. The Mother of the won- derful Double Child, Mrs. Finley, was the daughter of Samuel Markes, formerly from Harrison county, Va., but now of Champaign county, Ohio. She was born in Champaign county, July 28th, 1836, and was married to Joseph Finley, June 6th, 1859. She is rather agreeable in her manners, and is of medium height, rather large in figure, brunette in complexion, with something sweet and kindly in her voice, and in her dark eyes, and with something attractive in her quiet and self-possessed movements and man- ners. They had three children previous to the birth of this, all healthy and interesting, and nothing pe- culiar about them. The eldest, a daughter, now (1874) fourteen years old, the second a daughter, eight, and the third a son, five years old. The par- ents were in fair circumstances, neither wealthy nor poor. Mrs. Finley did not enjoy traveling very much, and would often say that she would much 16 Description. rather be at home on their little farm, where she al- ways enjoyed herself. Since writing the above we have learned, through Mr. Finley, that they have another daughter, now (Jan. 24tli, 1874,) about six months old. There is nothing peculiar about it, is smart, intelligent, and of course, beautiful. A VISIT TO THE DOUBLE BABY — THE GREATEST WONDER OF THE AGE. On Saturday last, with the two-fold object in view of enjoying a pleasant ride and seeing the wonderful Double Baby, in company with a friend we rode out to the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Finley, in Peru township, Morrow county. The distance was great- er than we were informed, and had anticipated, for instead of being seventeen miles, we found the resi- dence of Mr. Finley to be fully 22 miles from Mt. Vernon. We went directly to the beautiful and thri- ving village of Sparta, which is eleven miles from here ; from thence Westward on the Delaware road to Vail’s crossing ; here we turned to the right and kept straight on through the village of Pagetown to the second crossing beyond a covered bridge, and then turned square to the right, and in a few min- utes we were at Mr. Finley’s house. We mention these particulars in regard to the route for the benefit of others who may wish to gratify their curiosity by taking a similar trip. We arrived at the residence of Mr. Finley about eleven o’clock, but that gentle- man being out on his farm attending to his business, we were admitted bv a young lady, whose entire time appeared to be employed in meeting visitors at the Description. 17 door and receiving the admission fee, which is 50 cents. And here we may remark that instead of find- ing anything to condemn in this, we think it is every way praiseworthy and proper ; for, if Mr. and Mrs. Finley made a “free show” of their double-baby, their house would be constantly so over-crowded with visitors as to endanger the health, if not the lives both of Mrs. F. and her marvelous offspring. By charging a moderate admission fee, however, the crowd is kept away, and such a sum of money will be realized as to enable the parents to properly take care of and provide for the curious freak of nature which has been placed in their charge by the will of Providence. After introducing ourselves, we were received in a cordial manner, and invited to take seats. We found Mrs. Finley (who seems to be a healthy, intelligent and pleasant lady, apparently about 35 years of age) seated near a stove, with a pillow on her lap, on which the double-baby was resting, enjoying quiet sleep. She soon uncovered the child or children, and took pleasure in showing them or her or it, as the reader may be pleased to call the curiosity to those present. We found two perfect heads, one a little larger than the other but both well-formed, and de- veloping a fine mental organization ; two perfect, well-formed necks, shoulders, arms and bodies ; two hearts, two stomachs, and every evidence of two per- fect beings and separate existences, until they united together at the navel, and here at this point, the two bodies unite, and form one body, that of a female child. On one side are two well-formed legs, extend- ing at right angles from the body, perfect in all re- spects, with the exception of a slight twist in one of 18 Description. the feet, which our townsman, Dr. Russell, (who made an examination a day or two previous) said could be straightened without doing any injury to the children. At the other side of the body, a double leg, or two legs united into one, extend also at right angles. This double leg terminates in a club foot, on which are eight imperfectly formed toes. The child or children, when lying on their backs form a cross — that is the body or two bodies united, with a head at each end, forming one straight line, and the two sets of legs, running at right angles from the body, form another straight line. That the reader may the bet- ter understand the form or shape of this child or children, Ave will state that if they should live and become able to walk, the bodies (preserving their present position) would extend horizontally from the perfect legs, while the imperfect or double leg would project upwards ; but it is believed if Providence should be pleased to spare the lives of these two children, their bodies will so bend or be brought to- gether, so as to assume something like an upright position. While we were examining these wonderful children one of them awoke, and moved itself pretty much as other babies move after sleeping ; but the mother, by a gentle rocking of the knee, soon put it into a sleep again. As our visit -was short we did not see the child or children fed, (“nurse” we believe the ladies call it,) but Mrs. Finley told us they took nourish- ment as other children do, each when it is hungry. While one nurses, the other may be asleep, or awake, or crying, or quiet, as the case may be. It is a mis- take that if one feeds the other is satisfied ; as each craves for food when it is hungry, and will cry, like Description. 19 any other infant, until it is satisfied. We noticed that when one of the children awoke, its arms as well as the perfect leg, nearest that child, began to move. Indeed, each child has the entire control of the per- fect leg nearest to it, while either one appears ^o have a control over the imperfect or double leg. Mrs. Finley informed us that the smallest of the children for some time after its birth, was a little sickly and did not feed well ; but at present it feeds as heartily as the other, and appears to be getting along finelv. Mrs. F. says that although she has not determined for certain upon names for her children, yet at pres- ent, for convenience, she calls them Minnie and Mina. Although a great deal has been said and written in regard to a public exhibition of this double child, yet we learn that nothing positively has been agreed upon. To be sure, a man named Brown, an Insurance agent at Cardington, a day or two after the double child was born, came to see Mr. and Mrs. Finley, with a written contract in his pocket, drawn up by a lawyer who accompanied him, and while the parents’ minds were greatly distressed, he annoyed, dogged and importuned them, until they signed a contract, agree- ing to receive from this man Brown $50 per month, and he to pay all expenses, to travel with him and exhibit the double baby. Mr. and Mrs. Finley now very properly repudiate the contract, obtained by such illegal and disreputable means ; for they can make more money by staying home, and have had ten times better offers from other parties, if they will agree to travel. But for the present they have made no decision as to what they shall do. — Mt. Vernon (0.,) Banner. ^0 Description. The Double Baby in Columbus.' — The much talked of Double Baby was on exhibition at the American House yesterday and caused much excite- ment. The babe is about live months old, is a curi- osity without the repulsive features that we associate with the word monstrosity. The two faces, one at each end of the body, are genuine baby faces, with baby eyes peeping from them. The little arms and limbs have the baby softness, and even the badly mixed little body, with its baby plumpness and freshness, does not impress unpleas- antly. The arms are perfect, and dutter about with that recklessness that is characteristic of babyhood. The two legs on one side are gifted with an ordinary amount of kicking ability. The appendage on the other side, representing a rudimentary double leg, seems stiff, and is not used. The babies have a delicate look but are both bright and pretty. They don’t go partners on a cry, or a laugh, or a sleep, but are independent, and, as before said, utterly reckless as to consequences. They look much alike, but one has more plurnp- ness than the other, and more contentment apparently in its composition. the two chests and one abdomen may be a little difficult to manage on the partnership plan, and the Little Plumpness may have the best of the bargain. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pin ley , accompany hue babe, and Dr. Besse, Agent, is Business Manager. The babe or babes will remain on exhibition at the American for several days. Visiting hours from 9 to 12 a. m., 2 to 4 p. m., and 7 to 9 o’clock p. m. — Ohio bta&esiiuin. Description. 21 Scientific Examination of the Double Ba- by. — The very curious and interesting double baby, now on exhibition at the Museum at Ninth and Arch, was made the subject of a scientific examination and lecture, yesterday, at the Jefferson Medical College. Dr. F. Getchell, who delivered the lecture, had ex- amined the child at the Museum, and felt so much interest in it that he procured permission to introduce it before the faculty of the College, and medical stu- dents. The child v r as brought into the amphitheatre of the College, in a little crib, nicely adapted to its peculiar form. The crib was then placed on the re- volving table, in full view of the audience, the body of the child being covered by neat bed-clothing. At each end of the little bed was a bright and pretty little face, one being plump and cheerful and the other looking a little thin. Both, however, were very sprightly. As the two faces lay in the crib they gave the idea of two very short babies lying with their heads in opposite directions and their feet in contact. And this idea was strengthened by the fact that while one face was laughing and the one set of hands were play- ing with Dr. Getchell’s pencil, the face at the other end wore quite a sedate expression, and its eyes were looking about in seeming wonderment at the move- ments of the lecturer and his assistants. Subsequently the child— or rather that end of the double child— which has been laughing and playing hurt itself with a key which it had in its hands, and began to cry, while the face at the other end began to laugh. When the clothing was removed, the two heads and two sets of arms and hands were found to be attached to one body joined together as if two separate babies 22 Description. were cut through the middle of the abdomen, just at the waist, and then the two upper halves united at that point. There is a fully developed set of shoulders to each head, and a fully developed chest or thorax to each, but from the breast or chest at one end to the breast or chest at the other, there is only one trunk. On one side (the left side of the plump baby), just where the waists of the. two come together, there are two hips and two well-formed legs, extending at a right angle from the body, like extending arms. These look as if the lower half of one end of the babies, from the middle of the abdomen down, had grown out of that side, and this part of the body per- forms the functions for both heads and the half bodies attached. On the other side, also extending from the waist at a right angle, is a long excrescence, composed of the bones and toes of two other legs, enclosed in one skin, and having the appearance of one deformed leg. The photographs and other published pictures give a yery fair idea of the child, except as to the two bright, pretty little faces which it is a real pleasure to look at. It is the only exhibited curiosity we have ever seen that has not been exaggerated in the description of it. In this case the simple truth and fact are so strong that there is no room for exaggeration. Dr. Getchell states that the child was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 12th, 1870, and is now about seven months old. The birth was natural and easy, so much so that the child was born half an hour be- fore the doctor who had been sent for arrived. At birth it weighed about twelve pounds. The mother was healthy, and was not aware of any circum- stances to account for the peculiar and very extraor- Description. 23 dinary form of the child. Since its birth it has been healthy, suffering only from the common complaints incident to all children in early infancy. The mother at first nursed both heads, until recently, when she found that she had not milk enough, and one being rather less strong than the other, she now nurses the feebler one only, and the other is fed from a bottle. The circulation of the blood at the two extremities of this double child is perfectly independent. The pulse, at the wrist of one set of arms had, upon ex- amination, been found to be six beats faster than that of the other, while the prick of a pin or pinch of the shoulders attached to one head is not noticed by the other. Sometimes one is asleep whilst the other is awake and playing, and again both are asleep. This curious being is of an exceedingly rare class of what the medical books call “ monsters.” There are plenty of cases of deformities in the upright positions, where two persons are joined together ; but specimens of this class have been very rare, and have generally died very soon after their birth. They are almost always females. The lecturer had never heard of one of the male sex. Engravings of two cases nearly similar to this were exhibited by the lecturer, one of which was in a medical work in Latin, publish- ed in the seventeenth century. That one lived but a few days. There was another almost precisely similar birth in Spain, in the early part of this century, but that one also died, after an existence of five days. The present one, the lecturer thought, had a fair chance to live, as it digested and assimilated its food as other human beings do. It may be in the above description that we have sometimes spoken of this extraordinary being as one, 24 Description. and sometimes as two; but this is because it is nearly impossible to use precise language in the description of that which even science fails to tell us whether it be one child only, or two in one . — Public Ledger, Philadelphia, May 19th, 1871. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. mos ^ remarkable and interesting freaks of human nature that we or any one else ever saw, is the double or two headed 1 baby, now on exhibition in a room joining the American House in the city. There have been nu- merous instances of children being born with some strange deformity, but they have either been still born or expired shortly after birth. These children, or child, for there are two distinct bings, indissolubly connected — are healthy and robust. When we called to see them about nine o’clock in the evening both were peacefully sleeping. They have remarkably fine shaped heads, and are very bright and beautiful children. Several physicians have called to see them, and all say they never saw so singular a freak of nature. The children repose on their back, with heads 28 Opinions of the Press. in opposite directions, having one abdomen with legs projecting from the centre of the side, at right angles to the body. They have the appearnce of long life, but it is sad to reflect, while looking at the pretty and playful babes, what a comfortless and miserable existence their deformity would doom them to if they should live many years . — Daily Slate Ga- zette, Trenton, 1ST. J. City Intelligence — A Double-Headed Child — The Curiosity of the Day. — Mr. Robert F. Simpson, the manager of the Philadelphia Museum, at Ninth and Arch streets, being ever ready to cater to the amusement and curiosity of our citizens, has, at great expense, procured the most wonderful mons- trosity of the age, far outdoing the double-headed girl. It consists of a double-headed baby. Yesterday an examination was made of it in the lecture room of the Jefferson College. It was witnessed by many prominent professional gentlemen. Among whom were Professors Gross, Pancoast and Rand, of the College, Drs. Maury, Gross and Pancoast, Edward Shippen, Esq., and many others. Shortly after twelve o’clock Dr. Getcliell, the clin- ical lecturer upon diseases of women and children, made his appearance, and the infant being brought in and placed upon the table, the doctor proceeded to enter into the history of monsters in general, and of the little wonder in particular. He stated that Dr. Gross has been summoned to see the infant at the Museum, and had called him in to consult with him. Together they had come to the conclusion that the infant was an object of such interest as to merit the attention of the medical public. Through the kind- Opinions of the Press. 27 ness of Mr. Simpson they had been enabled to pre- sent it at the present lecture. The child was born in Morrow county, Ohio, upon the 12th day of October last, and is now accordingly about seven months old. Its delivery was easy and natural, its birth being accomplished before medical attendance was called. There was one cord and one placenta for the new-comer. It weighed at its birth twelve pounds, and was in all respects a hearty, healthy child. Since its birth the child has enjoyed good health, suffering only from the slight and natural ailments of early infancy. One child was larger than the other, but both are in a healthy condition at the present time. The child has two heads, both of which are vivacious and even pretty. It has one continuous spine, with what might be called three legs, two per- fect legs, and one composed of two legs united together with one compound foot and eight toes. In other respects it resembles other children. The Doctor then entered into the history of similar monsters, and showed a number of portraits from antique and contemporaneous works of creatures of the same con- formation. In conclusion, he said that, on the whole, this infant must be regarded as unique, as it has lived longer than any of its predecessors in monstrosity, and still gave promise of long life to come. The curiosity will be on exhibition at the Museum for some time . — The Age , Philadelphia, Pa. An Infant Monstrosity — The First Living Creature of the Species known to Science — Clinical Examination at the Jefferson Medi- cal College. — The lecture room of the Jefferson Medical College was filled at noon yesterday to wit- ness the clinical examination of a wonder in pliysi- 28 Opinions of the Pbess. ology, the two-headed baby. There were present bv invitation a number of distinguished gentlemen, phv- sicians, public men, and scientists. Among the former were Professors Gross, Pancoast, and Rand, of the Jefferson ; Drs. Gross, Maury, and Pancoast ; Edward Shippen and William McKean, Escp, and others. Shortly after twelve o’clock Dr. Getchell, the clinical lecturer upon diseases of women and children, made his appearance, and the infant being brought in and placed upon the table, the Doctor proceeded to enter into the history of monsters in general, and of this little wonder in particular. He stated that Dr. Gross had been summoned to see the infant at the Museum, and had called him in to consult with him. Together they had come to the conclusion that the in- fant was an object of such intenest as to merit the at- tention of the medical public. Through the kindness of Mr Simpson they had been enabled to present it at the present lecture. The child was born in Morrow county, Ohio, upon the 12th of October last. Its delivery was easy and na tural, its birth being accomplished before medical attendance was called. There was one cord and one placenta for the new-comer. It weighed at its birth twelve pounds, and was in all respects a hearty, healthy child. Its mother had not been frightened, and had not anticipated giving birth to any but a natural child. Since its birth the child has enjoyed good health, suffering only from the slight and natural ailments of early infancy. One child was larger than the other, but both are in a healthy condition at the present time. The child has two heads, both of which are viva- cious and even pretty. It has one continuous spine, Opinions of the Press. 28- with what might be called three legs — two perfect legs, and one composed of two legs united together, with one compound foot, and eight toes. In .other re- spects it resembles other children. In conclusion, he- said that, on the whole, this infant must be regarded as unique, as it had lived longer than any of its pre- decessors in monstrosity, and still gave promise of long life to come. Altogether the lecture was an ex- ceedingly interesting one, and listened to with pro- found attention by the audience. — The Bee , Philadel- phia, May 19, 1871. AGENT AND PHYSICIAN. author became the agent of Mina and £§ Minnie Finley on the 4th of March, 1871, whose business it was to travel and ex- hibit them and also act as their physician. At this time they were near five months old. The first place visited was Columbus, Ohio, at the American House, where they were visited by many of the leading citizens and physicians, and also many of the mem- bers of the Ohio Senate and House of Kepresetatives. The next place was Newark, Ohio, at the Preston House ; had many visitors of all classes. Zanesville, Ohio, at Mclntire House, had a large number of visitors. The next place was Pittsburgh, Pa., at Burnell’s Museum, for one month ; stopped at the Agent and Physician. 31 Robinson House, was visited by 25,000 persons, and the last day had 1,400 visitors. Next place, Harris- burg, Pa., at Brant’s Hall. Reading, Pa., at Key- stone House, exhibited in Aulenbauch’s Hall. From this we went to Philadelphia, at the New American Museum, corner of 9th and Arch streets ; remained here one month, from May 15th ; had about 1,000 visitors per day. Trenton, N. J., at American House. New Brunswick, N. J., at Bull’s Head Hotel, exhibited in Greer Hall. Elizabeth, N. J., Lafayette House, exhibited in Arcade building. Newark, N. J., City Hotel, exhibited in Library Hall. Here Mina was taken very sick, on the even- ing of July 4th, and had a severe attack of Cholera Infantum, and came near dying, but after a few days she speedily recovered her usual health. This did not seem to affect Minnie at the time, but she being rather the most delicate of the two, and fearing that she would get sick and probably die, we thought it best not to stop in New York City but start direct to Boston, Mass., it being probably one of the most healthy cities in this country. Therefore on the 15th of July, at 5 P. M., we embarked on board of one of Admiral Fisk’s superb steamers, the Bristol, plying from New York to Boston by the way of Long Island Sound ; (this boat and its mate, the Providence, are said to be the finest in the world, 32 Agent and Physician. their cost being over one million dollars each.) Com- mander Simmons, with whom we had an introduc- tion, is evidently the right man in the right place, and knows how to run a huge steamer, and the stew- ard, McGowen, is a gentleman, and knows how to treat passengers to a sumptuous repast. Our comfort and safety had been thoroughly provided for. The officers of the boat knowing that we were on board commenced slipping into the stateroom where Mrs. Finley and the children were, all anxious to see the wonderful Double Babe ; and pretty soon the news got out among the passengers, and of course admis- sion could not be granted them, but. by special re- quest of some of the officers, Ave gave a short lecture and free exhibition in the magnificent parlor of the boat, with which that vast crowd seemed filled with wonder. (This offered an excellent opportunitv of advertising us in Boston.) We speak more particu- larly of this trip and exhibition, as it was the last traveling and last public exhibition ever given of them. After this pleasant trip we arrived in Boston on the morning of July 16th, and stopped at the Temple House, where the children died. Our party ‘consisted of the Double Babe, Mbs. and Mr. Fin- ley, Mbs. Cabbie Bobixson, (the nurse,) and the author. EDITORIALS. 4■ |ITERE is now on exhibition in Columbus the | greatest living curiosity the earth ever saw. I It is one child with two heads, or two children 0 with one body. It was born in Morrow coun- ty, this State, and is now nearly five months old. One head is where it belongs, and the other is where the feet should be, while the feet put out from the side. The two faces are singularly bright and beautiful. One sleeps and one laughs, then t’other laughs and one sleeps. Then both sleep. Go to Columbus at the American House and see it all this week. We have a photograph at our office . — Kenton Republican , Ohio. The Double Baby — Lmpbessioys. — Everybody who sees the double baby comes away with a feeling that cannot be expressed. Curiosity has been satis- 34 Editorials. fie cl, ancl there is a better and wanner feeling with it. No one can look at the two sweet baby faces, see the two pairs of bright eyes, hear the two cooing voices, and say “monstrosities.” The little prattlers strike too near the heart for that, and as there is nothing of the show atmosphere about them nor no officiousness about the parents, the visitor stands in the presence of the little two-souled being as he would stand in a parlor — stands half abashed in the presence of the little wonder, and is as much startled when one pair of little hands reaches out for his whiskers as he would be to see a marble statue raise its arm and strike. Everybody who sees the babes loves them, and where there had been sneers and jests there are kindly thoughts and earnest words. — Ohio State Journal. Go and see it. — The wonderful Double Babe, the greatest living curiosity in the world, will arrive from Columbus on the noon train of to-day (Friday,) and will be on exhibition at the Preston House for a short time. Doors will be open from S to 12 A. M., from half past 1 to 4 P. M., and the evening from 7 to 9 o’clock. No one should fail to see this anatomical and phis- iological curiosity . — Newark American, Ohio. The Morrow County Double Baby, the greatest living curiosity in the world, is now on exhibition at the Preston House, in this city, where it will be shown for a few days. Whilst in Columbus it was visited by thousands. It is accompanied by its par- ents and a physician . — XeivarJc American, Ohio. The Double Babe, the most wonderful curiosity in the world, over five months old, handsome and Editorials. 35 healthy, is still on exhibition at the Mclntire House. To-morrow, Friday, March 31st, will be the last day our citizens will have an opportunity of seeing these wonderful children. They are pretty, intelligent, and nothing whatever repulsive in their appearance. — Zanesville ( 0 .,) Courant. The Double. Babe will be on exhibition at the Mc- lntire again to-day, which will afford the last oppor- tunity of seeing it here. During its stay here, visi- tors have been quite numerous, and these little cher- ubs will make a fortune for their unfortunate parents. They are beautiful children and can boast of being the greatest living curiosity in the world . — Zanesville (0.,) Courier. Burneei’s Museum. — Beauty has often tempted “Justice to break her sword,” and beauty, in a more quiet and far more wonderful way, all day yesterday and last evening wielded a power, drawing throngs to witness the beauty of the greatest of living curi- osities, “The Double Babe,” placed on exhibition yesterday at the almost fabulous cost of five hundred dollars per week. Ourc itizens, by their numerous attendance, endorsed the bold manceuver of the Ma- jor, and the confessed beauty of the child . — Pittsburg Daily Dispatch , April 4th, 1871. The Great Freak of Nature All who have seen the double baby on exhibition on the first floor of Brant’s hall, account it as the most marvelous freak of nature they have ever examined. It even surpass- es in peculiarity of formation the two headed negro girl, and is far more attractive. The baby will be ex- hibited to-day and to-morrow for probably the last 36 Editorials. time in Harrisburg. This being the case, those who have not seen it should repair to the first floor of Brant’s at once . — Harrisburg (Pa.,) Paper. A Fusxy Baey-oe is it Two? — The deviation of man from the normal type of his creation has al- ways been regarded with deep interest, and has from the earliest ages attracted a great deal of the attention of scientists and philosophers. No wonder then that the appearance of a little human being in our midst, who is entirely a novelty among the infants of its day and generation, should move the medical circles of the city to theii dapths. This movement found expres- sion yesterday in the appearance of the little curiosi- ty at the regular Thursday clinic of the Jefferson Medical College. The upper lecture room was thronged with the votaries of science and the lovers of the curious, and the arena in the midst of the amphitheatre was occupied by a number of distin- guished gentlemen, professors of the college and prominent physicians. At a few minutes after twelve o’clock Dr. Getchell, the lecturer on clinical midwife- ry and the diseases of women and children, made his appearance in the arena, and the object of the day’s lecture being cited to appear, was home in upon a little light bed especially constructed for its famously unique babyship. The infant is a girl (we might be pardoned if wo said two girls), but so curiously and originally divi- ded in the back, as to have two heads and an attempt at four legs. The heads are directly fronted with two sweet baby faces, much resembling each other, although one is larger, fuller, and fresher than the other, as one part of this ingeniously constructed creature is healthier than the other. Two of the legs Editorials. 37 the one coming from the healthy side of the common body is larger and altogether healthier looking than the other. But in addition to these there is a third leg, which, marvelous to say, bears every appearance of being two in one, looking very much as if in the moulding of the limb the molten fund of the pros- pective infant had got mingled and welded together. It is truly one limb, but it is tw T o in one, as is shown by the eight toes, two of which are great toes. The legs all come out at right angles to the comman body, the tw'O on one side and the compound leg on the oth- er. The intestinal and lower secretory and excretory organs of the infant are common to both parts. The circulation and respiration of the tw T o parts, however, are quite distinct. Their pulses are unequal in fre- quency, and one, although in good health, is much less perfectly nourished than the other. They live quite independently of each other although so insep- arably united. The one may sleep while the other is aw r ake, and one may ail a little while the other is en- joying its usual health. All this and much more w T as developed by the remarks of the distinguished lec- turer, who exposed the infant to the most careful ex- amination, and showed it in all its wonderful malfor- mation to the spectators. He entered also into a his- tory of the theory of such malformations and placed the child under its appropriate class. It has had predecessors in the like deformity, but has outstripped them all, living seven months, while no one of them has given the world its presence for more than a few weeks. Nothing remarkable attend- ed its birth, and when it came into the Avorld it weigh- ed twelve and a half pounds. It has always been are completed and natural in every respect, although 38 Editorials. healthy, and stands a fair chance of attaining a con- siderable age. We should gladly give the doctor’s very interest- ing lecture in full, but our space forbids. The infant wonder, it is our privilege to add, is now, and will be for some time, on exhibition at the New American Museum, to the courtesy of whose manager, Mr. Robert F. Simpson, the public is indebted for the present opportunity of becoming acquainted with his interesting little charge . — The Bay, Philadelphia, Pa. We have before us a photograph, taken from life, of one of the most wonderful freaks of nature ever presented to the notice of the public, that of a double child, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Finley, with their offspring, are now in Zanesville, Ohio. This child, or these children, Mina and Minnie, were born in Peru township, Morrow county, Ohio, Oct. 12th, 1870, and are now five and a half months old. The connection is at the pelvis — in other words, there are two heads, four arms, two chests, one abdomen, one pelvis, one set of pelvis organs, two legs proper and an appendage on the opposite side representing a rudimentary double leg. There is nothing the least repulsive in their appearance and they are as spright- ly and playful as any children of their age usually are. One sleeps frequently while the other is wide awake, cries while the other laughs, and, to all ap- pearance, they are two individuals blended into one body. Many people have visited them, and all agree that it is the greatest anotomical and physiological curiosity they ever beheld. The two legs on the left side are distinct, as one is moved by one end and the other by the other. The double Jeg is governed, in a jneasure by both. The heads are at opposite ends Editorials. 39 and the faces are .pleasant to look upon. This curi- osity is shortly to be exhibited in Pittsburg for about a month, then in Philadelphia, New York, and the eastern cities.— Yw York Clipper. The following was written by a minister of the Gospel, belonging to that highly esteemed denomina- tion called Friends, or Quakers, who visited those children several times while they were in Philadel- phia, with many of his Quaker friends, and the author is sorry that he has forgotten the name of this good man ; his article was published in the Bur- lington Gazette of June 1 7th, 1871, and is as follows : A Strange Union. — We do not hesitate in the conviction that existence is a boon from Deity, always bestowed with a benevolent intent, and always de- signed in some manner to promote the glory of God. In contemplating the lusus naturcc we give no place in the theory of chance. Cowper, the Christian poet, says : “ Did not His eye rule all things, and intend The least of our concerns, (since from the least- The greatest oft originate,) could chance Find place in His dominion or dispose One lawless particle to thwart His plan, Then God might be surprised, and unforseen Contingence might alarm Him, and disturb The smooth and even course of His affairs.” We would not willingly rank with those who regard with mere gaping curiosity, or with disgust, those peculiar and monstrous creations whioh startle us 40 Editorials. with their strangeness and which should enlist our sympathy as philanthropists. Among what are sometimes called “ freaks of na- ture,” the most wonderful we have ever known was a human babe born in Morrow county, Ohio, on the 12th of October, and now living and in perfect health at the age of about eight months. A clinical exam- ination was recently held at the Jefferson Medical College, and was the subject of an interesting scien- tific lecture by Dr. Getchell, — Dr. Pancoast and other distinguished physicians being present. It is a question whether to speak of the interesting creature in the singular or the plural number. There seem to be two distinct spiritual existences, but only one body. There are two heads with intelligent and even beautiful countenances, connected by one trunk or body, and one apparently continuous spine, (though in reality there are two.) There would seem to be two complete pairs of arms, two perfect legs, and a third, which consists of two legs united and a com- pound foot with eight toes. There is nothing repul- sive to the sight. The faces are not merely pretty, but are likewise vivacious and happy looking. We have observed them carefully on several occasions. We have seen on either face smiles of unusual sweet- ness, and expressions of pleasure independent of the other. We have seen the one awake and sprightly while the other was in a deep sleep — again we have seen both expressi re of delight, but have not noticed in either any token of discomfort. It is very common to hear from strangers the hope that they will not live. But why should any feel thus, if we recognize a Providential permission and design, and the possibility of their blissful future, Editorials. 41 and of their being formed for a lesson to others of the gratitude due to our Father in heaven for the gifts which, though withheld from them, are bestowed upon us ? Surely it should incite us to take heed that those gifts shall not have been bestowed in vain. Hundreds have spontaneously declared the duty of thankfulness for the possession, in themselves and in their children, of perfect, mental and physical form- ation, showing that upon them the teaching is not lost. Should their lives be spared, (and there is no apparent reason to the contrary,) what benefit may result to natural and mental science, or what ma- terialistic dogmas may be confounded. We see no reason why life should not be a high enjoyment to them. They are likely to be beyond pecuniary need, and to have secured to them all the ministration suited to their personal need. Their minds will most probably develope, they will unquestionably, if they live, have some original method of locomotion. They are objects of redemption and salvation, and may be enabled to realize the last verse of the book of Psalms : “ Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” “ Let no presuming, impious railer tax Uneering Wisdom, as if aught were formed. In vain, or not for charitable end.” RECEPTIONS OF DOUBLE BABE. j IPHEY always met with a kiud and hearty re- ceptiou wherever they were exhibited, and were highly commended by all who saw them for their being the greatest curiosity that has ever lived in human form, and also for their beauty and intelligence ; and there seemed to be a peculiar charm about them that drew large crowds to see and admire them, and who always expressed marks of sympathy, admiration, wonder and astonishment. All ranks and classes visited them, and the greater portion of visitors admired their beauty, intelligence, and loveliness, many saying that they were the most beautiful children that they had ever beheld. ‘‘None like me since the days of Eve, None such, perhaps will ever live.” QUESTIONS ASKED BY VISITORS. |N what part of the country were these children born ? Answer: in Morrow county, t HUpft Ohio. How large a place is that ; is it as large as Philadelphia ? Answer : O yes, it is the greatest State in some respects of any in the Union ; it has furnished more fighting Generals, and more beautiful women, and without doubt the most wonderful baby the world has ever seen. Then the old Philadelphia lady, looking very wisely over her glasses, said : well, did you ever ? Question by an old Irish lady : and now, sir, did you say, sir, that the one women had the two childers ? Answer : O no, -I did not say so, but it is not supposable that the mother had one, and the colored nurse woman had the 44 Questions Asked by Visitors. other. Then she said, well, I was born in Ireland, and crossed the seas, and never saw the likes o’ that before. Then a wise looking old gentleman asks if they envelope like other childers. Sometimes one would be asleep while the other was awake, when the question would be frequently asked, they are not both alive are they ? One day, at Pittsburg, a rough look- ing old gentleman came in and said he was a Doctor, and wanted to see the Double Baby, and, after look- ing at them awhile, he asks, in a self important way, what is there peculiar about them, it is nothing but two children stuck together, isn’t it ? Answer : that is all, but rather a good job is it not ? Then he said, cover them up, that is all I want to see of them. He then asked, where is the mother? I will give five dollars to see her. Why do you want to see her ? Because I want to ax her some sci, scion, sciontific questions. (This he was not permitted to do, fearing that he was too deeply learned in science for any ordi- nary person.) Question by a beautiful little girl of about five summers : please sir, will you tell me which is the oldest of the two ? (at this the whole audience began to laugh.) Yes, my little dear, you are the only one out of many thousands that has ever asked that question, and I am glad that I am able to answer it. Mina is a very little the oldest, and "you see also that she is the largest. This seemed to en* 45 Questions Asked by Visitors. tirely satisfy the little beauty. Question by a smart looking old lady : has the mother any other children ? Answer : yes, three. And are any of them like these ? Answer: no. Well don’t you think that is strange? Well goodness gracious, says an old lady, -I have had seventeen children and none of them was like this one. Wasn’t that strange ? Says a gentleman one day, in Reading, Pa., in company with five or six la- dies : oh ! see how strangely they are grown together. now, sir, will you be kind enough to show us the connection ? Question at another time : Does the moth- er travel with them ? Yes. And is she alive ? The question was asked a few times: Yfhat^does their mother let them live for ? These are but a few of the strange questions asked by visitors. One of the most common questions by ladies was : are you their fath- er ? And the most common by gentlemen was : Where is the mother ? A very common expression by ladies in the Eastern States, on first seeing them, was, Well, did you ever ! or, Oh, you sweet little angels ! or, Oh, you little beauties, how I would like to get a hold of you, etc., etc. BICEPHALIC MONSTROSITY — ISCHIOPA- GUS TRIPUS. by ralph m. Townsend, m. D , of Philadelphia. . ||§|pHERE is at present on exhibition at Sinip- son’s Museum in this city a pair of twins whose mode of union is remarkable, and are rendered unique by their thriving and com- paratively lengthy life. These twins were born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 12th, 1870, the delivery being natural and easy and accomplished half an hour before the ar- rival of the attending physician. By reference to the accompanying photograph it will be seen that these babes have a common trunk, terminating at either ex- tremity in a well-shaped neck and head. Each end of the trunk is formed of a perfect thorax with its con- tained viscera, then comes the swell of the belly, and the children insensibly grade into one another. As Bicephalic Monstrosity. 4T they lie extended upon their backs they look as if two children had been cut transversely across at their umbilici, and then accurately welded together. Exactly in the centre of their common abdomen is a scar, marking the attachment of the umbilical cord, of Avhich there was but one, along with one placenta, and these of usual size. Springing at right angles from the right side of the abdomen is a well-formed pelvis supporting a perfect pair of legs and feet, with the exception that one of the latter is in a condition of equino-varus, To these extremities are attached the genital apparatus and anus of an ordinary female child. Upon the opposite side of the abdomen there appears to be a rudimentary pelvis in the shape of an ilium, feeling under the skin something like a scalpula. Branching from this, also at right angles to the body, is a compound ru- dimentary leg, its anterior aspect looking backwards, terminating in a foot containing two ossa calces and eight toes, — the great toes being outermost, and the lesser ones side by side. When the child lies upon its belly, with its arms folded into the side and its legs extended, it is cross- like in shape, — one arm of the cross represented by the rudimentary leg being somewhat twisted and de- ficient. The spines, on first inspection, seem to be continuous, but closer examination shows that they come together like two J’s with their crooks laid end to end, the crooks turning towards the right and be- ing attached to the complete pelvis. One of these children is ruddy, muscular, and full of vigorous vitality ; but the other is thin,, its chest is deficient in development, and its face looks pre- maturely old. The mother at first nursed them both ■ 48 Bicephalic Monstrosity. but now gives all her milk to the smaller child, feed- ing the larger one from the bottle. The father of these children is a tall, gaunt Pennsyl- vanian, forty-three years old, a farmer ; the mother is an Ohioan, thirty-three years of age, of massive frame and heavy face. She has had three other children, all healthy, the eldest being thirteen years of age. She knows of no cause to which to ascribe the pro- duction of such strange progeny. The pulse of these children is not uniform, beating at one examination six times faster to the minute in the arm of one child than in the arm of its compan- ion. Their sensation is also different. One does not feel when the other is pinched ; one feeds while the other sleeps ; and their separate attentions are sim- ultaneously attracted by different objects. It is the ■opinion of their physician, Dr. H. Besse, of Ohio, that they have separate bladders, owing to one bear- ing down and making water, and a few minutes after the other, with like exertion, repeating the operation. The history of these cases, however, is that they have ut one bladder and one rectum. These children were placed at the disposal of Dr. S. W. Gross, to whose courtesy I am indebted for the opportunity of making this report. They were also the subjects of a clinical lecture at the Jefferson Medi- cal College, by Dr. F. H. Getcliell, who ranked them in the order Catadidyma, genus Ischiopagus , and species Ischiopagus Tripus. To show how typical this child is of its class, the lecturer exhibited cuts of three similar cases, one born in Oxford, England, in 1552, one in Ceylon, many years after, and one in Cadiz Spain, in 1818. The former two died at birth, the latter survived five davs. This then is a much Bicephalic Monstrosity 49 greater curiosity as a representative of a recognized class, all recorded cases of which have died at or soon after birth, than if it were a mere chance formation. The history of all double monsters is, that the death of one is immediately followed by the death of the other, and the present case seems to afford no chance for deviation from this law. At present their diges- tion and assimilation are good. They are visited daily by hundreds of people, and maintain rare infan- tile good humor in spite of the somewhat awkward handling and examining they areoftimes subjected to. Overwhelming curiosity, however, gives way to a shade of regret on many faces, that coming years, if allowed them, can only replace present attractiveness by pitiable deformity. DEATH OF THE DOUBLE CHILD. f ^^pffeHEIE death presented a strange appearance, and excited the curiosity and pity of all ( q V ^Ssp. .^9 ? '1‘^F 5 ? present. They were nine months and six days old, and died at the Temple House, No. 6 Bow- doin street, Boston, Mass., July 18th, 1871. They had always enjoyed excellent health from their birth until July 4, when on exhibition in Newark, New Jersey, Mina showed symptoms of illness, and had a severe attack of cholera infantum, and came near death to all appearance, and remained so for about three days when she commenced recovering very rap- idly. This sickness seemed to affect Minnie but very little at the time, but about the 11th Minnie was at- tacked with continual vomiting, which was very dif- Death of the Double Child. 51 ficult to manage, and this tendency of sickness at the stomach continued more or less until about 8 o’clock on the morning of the 18th, when she had several light convulsions, after which she sank gradually un- til 4:35 in the evening, when she breathed her last, and the heart belonging to her stopped beating. She was dead to all appearance, without a struggle, and looked as if sleeping pleasantly, in which condition she remained for one hour and forty-five minutes, when she commenced gasping for breath, and artifi- cial means was resorted to to restore respiration. This gasping continued at short intervals until 7:15 when she gave the last gasj>. After this Mina, who had been perfectly well, to all appearance, until Minnie stopped breathing, show- ed signs of uneasiness, and continued sinking very rapidly and died at 8:15, just one hour from the time that Minnie gaye the last gasp for breath. They both died very easy, and looked as if going into a pleasant sleep and never gave a struggle, and now they are quiet and lovely to look upon in death as they al- ways Avere in life. The tAvo souls have passed from the one body to the God that gave them this truly wonderful and curious body. They apparently escaped the ordinary suffering incident to death, for the countenances had the ex- pression of sAAmet repose. Through the influence of 52 Death of the Double Child. myself and several of the leading physicians of Bos- ton we had a fine plaster cast taken of the child, which I can have duplicated at any time for the bene- fit of science. After this we had a post mortem ex- amination, which revealed many wonderful curiosities, both in anatomy and physiology, a full account of which is given in this work. The body of the child, or children, was carefully embalmed and put into a casket containing alchohol and having glass facings which afford a good view of the body, which is well preserved. In the casket the child looks natural and appears as if in repose. It has been brought by the parents to their home, near Ashley, where it yet remains. Since writing the above we have learned that they have been buried. AFTER DEATH. AKE the pillows from the cradle Where the little sufferers lay ; Draw the curtains, close the shutters, And shut out the beams of day. Spread the pall upon the table, Place their lifeless body there ; Back from off their marble feature, Lay their auburn curls with care. With their little blue-veined hands Crossed upon their sinless breasts, Free from care, and pain, and anguish, Let the double cherub rest. 54 After Death. Smooth their common shroud about them Pick their toys from off the floor ; They with all their sparkling beauty, Ne’er can charm their owners more. Take their little shoes and stockings From the mourning mother’s sight; Their little feet no more will need them, Walking in the fields of light. Parents tired and worn with watching Through the long dark night of grief, Dry your tears and sooth your sighing — Gain a respite of relief. A mother’s care is no more needed To allay the rising moan ; And though she has to leave them, They can never be alone. Angels bright will watch beside them In their quiet, holy slumber, Till the morning, then awake them To a place among their number. AUTOPSY OF THE DOUBLE MONSTER (ISCHIOPAGUS TRIPUS) BORN IN OHIO, AND LATELY EXHIBITED IN BOSTON. By Calvin Ellis, M. D. Read before the Boston Society for Medical Improvement, July 24, 1871. , (ijUfN Photographic Review, Yol. 1, No. 5, Dr. ^Hlfi R- Townsend has published a description of this monstrosity, in connection with an admirable photograph of the same. As will be seen on reading this article, the post- mortem examination has disclosed the fact that the spines were continuous at the lower portion and united with the fully developed pelvis. Notwithstanding the act of micturition suggested to Dr. Besse that separate bladders existed, from each of which urine escaped, but one was found, from which the single urethra passed to the common vulva. A discrepancy exists between the article above re- ferred to and the communication of Dr. Ainsworth, 56 Autopsy of the Double Monster. with reference to the existence of one or two umbili- cal cords and placentas. The question being one of fact, no opinion is expressed in the matter. The following history of the monstrosity is com- municated by Dr. F. S. Ainsworth, of Boston : — “ The facts rest upon the authority of the mother and the physician retained to attend them. They were given to me and Dr. Fabyan, who attended the children in their last sickness. “ The mother was a robust and healthy woman, having had three children before the birth of the twins. She did not recollect the occurrence of twins in any of her family. Ffer pregnancy was not at- teneded by any unusual symptoms. There was no physician present at the time of labor. The largest child came first, without more pain than usual, and began to cry as soon as the head was delivered. The time of greatest suffering was when the common abdomen was passing the soft parts. - This Avas due to the fact that its longest diameter was at right angles to that of the vulva. After delivery, the cries of the larger child with the violent action of the diaphragm, gradully brought the smaller one to life. There were two placentas and two umbilical cords. The weight of both children, after birth, was 10^ lbs. “ For a few weeks the mother was able to nurse both children by bending the bodies so as to reach each breast. In a short time she was unable to do this, on account of the growth of the children, and cintinued to nurse the smaller child, feeding the lar- ger one from the bottle. All the sensitive functions were entirely distinct ; one child would be asleep and the other awake and playing. While one was making efforts to evacuate the bladder or rectum, the other Autopsy of the Double Monster. 57 was entirely quiet. Irritation of the skin of one was unnoticed by the other. Scratching the skin of the fused leg was felt only by the one nearest the part. The growth and nutrition of both children was about as usual.” Dr. Win. Goodell, of Philadelphia, in the Medical Times for June loth, 1871, p. 332, has given other particulars which now possess additional inteiest. He says : — “ This monstrosity consists of two individuals, fused together, on a common longitudinal or vertebral axis, by one pelvis common to both. Each pole of the common vertebral column terminates in a head, whilst each individual is normally developed as far as the pelvis. On one side of this appear two perfectly- formed legs, one of which belongs exclusively to Mina, the other to Minnie — a fact proved by tickling each foot alternately. Between these limbs are sit- uated one anus and one set of the external gential organs of a female. On the opposite side of the pelvis projects a rudimentary limb, made up of lateral halves, contributed equally by each individual. It contains a broad femur deeply furrowed in the median line, two tibiae and two fibulae, and ends in a foot furnished with two calcanea, two big toes, and six little ones. This fused or siren limb is so twisted on its axis that its heels look upward — while the children are lying on their backs — conveying the im- impression that the half of this limb nearer to the one child belongs the other child. The vascular and nervous systems of each individual are independent and distinct. Thus, the pulse in one beats faster than that in the other; one — as you observe — is now asleep and motionless, while the other is awake and 58 Autopsy op the Double Monster. playfully tossing about its arms and leg. One of these children is weak and puny, the other healthy and active. A few weeks ago, a change of milk at Columbus, Ohio, disagreed with Minnie, who became quite sick with a diarhcea, while Mina, being more robust, remained as well as usual. It was now no- ticed that green and liquid stools alternated with those of a feculent character. Ordinarily, the act of defeca- tion in the one child seems to excite peristalic move- ments in the bowels of the other, as shown by two copious evacuations in quick succession. These facts lead me to think that each individual is provided with its own alimentary canal, which unites with its fellow to form one common rectum. They also have probably but one bladder between them. Thus, separated by brain and intelligence, are distinct individuals as re- gards the more vital organs, they yet share in com- mon the more degraded apparatuses of animal life.” Dr. G. J. Fisher, of Sing Sing, N. Y., in the same Journal for July 15th, 1871, page 376, published an article upon the same subject, the greater part of which we reprint. “ In my sympathetic essay upon Diploteratology, which for want of leisure still remains unfinished (two hundred pages of text and thirty-three litho- graphic plates, containing one hundred and twenty- six figures, is all that has thus far been published), I have described sixteen cases which belong to the same generic group as the Ohio case — viz : Ischiopa- gus. The group is divided into the complete or symmetrical and the incomplete or noil-symmetrical forms. The symmetrical ischiopagus is characterized by the union of two entire foetuses in such a manner that their pelvis form a common ring or basis, the Autopsy op the Double Monster. 59 right pubic bone of one individual forming a junction with the left of the other, and vice versa on the opposite side. The common axis of the symphy- ses pubis it at right angles to the ccmmon vertebral axis. The heads are situated at the distal extremities of the longitudinal axis of the compound body ; the abdomens are fused ; single umbilicus and funis ; one bladder ; two rectums ; two sets of genitals ; four pectoral and four pelvic extremities ; vital organs normal and independent. “ I have given details of eight cases (Trans. Med. Soc. State of New York, 1866, p. 242 et seq.) of sym- metrical ischiopagi, differing from the Ohio case only in having four legs instead of three — viz., Cases 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33 and 34. Dr. Goodell’s eighth case, of which he was informed by Pro. Leidy, is the same as my Case No. 25, taken from Dr. Mont- gomery’s article, ‘ On Double Monsters’ (Dublin Quarterly Jour, of Med. Sci. vol. XV., 1853, p. 263, pi. 1, fig 2). Dr. M. states, in concluding his account of the case, ( I may observe that this case is taken by Prof. Vrolik as the type of a class, “ Inferior Dupli- city,” and the figure of it in my article “Foetus,” in the Cyclopoedia of Anatomy and Physiology, vol. ii., fig. 146, is referred to by him as an illustration.’ In describing the skeleton, he refers to the Catalogue of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, vol. i., p. 148. Thus it appeal’s that Dr. Goodell’s eighth case will be found in my essay, and is one of the eight cases of four-legged ischiopagous children therein described. “ The non-symmetrical forms of ischiopagus are di- vided into specific groups according to the develop- ment of the pelvic extremities. Those having three 60 Autofsy of the Double Monster. legs, one of which is always a compound limb, result- ing from the fusion of two, are described under the title of Ischiopagus tripus ; of this form I have given details of four cases — viz., 35 to 38. “ Goodell’s fifth ease, for which he refers to the works of Ambrose Pare, will be found cited in the X. Y. State Med. Transactions, p. 262, under the head ‘ Literature of Ischoipagus(APare, Les CEuvres, Paris. 1575, fob, p. 809). The bibliography of this group, notwithstanding the titles are as much abbreviated as possible, occupies the greater part of this page. “ The sixth ease referred to by Dr. Goodell, of which he says a wood-cut is given by Aldrovandus (Monstrorum Historia, Bononiae, 1642, p. 646), is copied from a wood-cut in Lycosthenes (Prodigiorum ac Ostentorum Chronicon, Ac., Basilere, 1557, p. 619). It is also copied by Licetus ( De Monstris, 3d edition. Amsterdam, 1665, p. 113). I have translated a brief account of it, which will be found under Case 38 (p. 254 of Transactions), being one of the four cases with which Dr. G. credits me. As far as my knowledge extends, the Ohio case i- the only one of Ischiopagus tripus which have ever occurred on the continent of America, which fact renders it peculiarly interesting. “ There is a form of non-symmetrical ischiopagus in which two legs only are developed, both being on the same side of the double body — of course, anatomically. Each individual has one pelvic extremity, the single rectum, urethra, bladder, and genitals being joint stock, each member of the dual corporation having furnished fifty per cent, of the material in the organi- zation of the company. This form I have designated Autopsy op the Doufle Monster. 61 Ischiopagus dipns, and I have described two cases of it — viz. 39 and 40. “ There is still another form, in w T hich but one in- dividual is fully developed, to the pelvis of which either a pair of legs, or a single fused leg, with double genitals, are attached. This form is denominated Ischio- pagus dipygus, of which I have given two cases — one human (Case 41) and one animal (Case 42). “ Since the publication of that part of my essay relating to the generic group Ischiopagus, I have had an opportunity of making a personal in- spection of a case of the kind, in a human female in- fant several months old, born in Millville, Tenn., and exhibited in New York city in 1868. Two well-de- veloped additional lower limbs were attached to the pelvis of the child. Between the natural limb and the supremecy one, on either side, were to be seen well developed female genitals. 1 saw it urinate from both sides, beginning and ending at the same' instant. There was but one anus and one bladder. “ This case has been published in many medical journals, among which I will mention the Richmond and Louisville Medical Journal, July 1868, the Cin- cinnati Medical Repertory, July 1868, p. 202, and New York Medical Journal, October, 1868, vol. viii. p. 102. The seventh case of ischiopagus, pointed out by Dr. Stille, has escaped my notice. I have not seen an account of it in any of the numerous works which I have consulted, and therefore cannot feel warranted in placing it with the three-legged group before seeing either a figure or a description of it. “ The case pointed out by Prof. Leidv, in the ‘ Pa- thological Anatomy’ of Rokitansky, may be a mere 62 Autopsy of the Double Monstep.. typical form, selected from either of the authorities above cited; and since Dr. Goodell says Prof. Bokit- anky ‘ does not state where it occurred/ this would seem the most probable view of the case, correspond- ing with the Irish case, belonging to the Dublin Col- lege, selected by Prof. Yrolik, as a typical form in article ‘ Double Monsters ’ in the Cyclopaedia of Anatomy and Physiology,- and which Drs. Leidy and Goodell have both been misled in regarding as an additional case to those described in my work. “ The greatest care is required in all bibliographical and statistical investigations relating to medical sub- jects, and especially when a period of several centu- ries is to be explored, in order that the same state- ment, case, or figure referred to or repeated in dif- ferent works may not be mistaken for so many differ- ent cases. Having had some experience and much perplexity in this sort of work, and on this very sub- ject, for many years past, I have written this note to assist all who are interested in obtaining the correct literature of this form of malformation.” Dr. Ainsworth also furnishes the following account of the fatal illness of the children : — “ While on exhibition in New Jersey, the larger child suffered an attack of cholera infantum, the smaller one remaining in perfect health. At this time the characteristic evacuation from the bowels of the sick child would be followed by a healthy one from the other, who was lively and playful. After recovery, and while on their way to Boston, the small child was taken with the same disease, which continued growing worse for four days, when it died at 2 P. M. At about 8 o’clock on that day, the other, which had ap- pealed well in every respect, began to show signs of Autopsy of the Double Monster. 63 uneasiness, failed rapidly, and died about three hours after the other. While struggling in death, the in- creased action of the diaphragm seemed to partially resuscitate the dead child, so as to occasion feeble respiration and action of the heart, with opening of the eyes and gasping for breath. This lasted for a few minuies, and ceased at the death of the large child. About twenty-four hours after death a cast was taken, and the body was injected with a preservative solution by Drs. F. S. Ainsworth and C. B. Porter. Autopsy , thirty-eight hours after death. — Dr. Ainsworth made accurate measurements of every part, but, being obliged to leave, the examination was con- ducted by Dr. C. Ellis, with the assistance of Drs. C. B. Porter, II. H. A. Beach, and B. H. Fitz. There was talipes varus of the right foot. The length of the bodies, from vertex to vertex, was twenty-nine inches. The fused leg measured, from trochanter to malleolus, eight and one-half inches ; around the thigh, eight and one-half inches. The leg corres- ponding with the smallest child, was smaller than the other. No proper umbilicus was seen, but, in the position of this, was a kind of superficial cicatrix an inch or more in diameter. This appearance was caused by an attack of erysipelatous inflammation of the part soon after birth, followed by sloughing. Both aortas were found in the usual position, and the pre- servative fluid passed very readily from the aorta of the largest child into all the vessels of the smaller. The round ligament was in its usual position in each liver, but the vessels soon subdivided, and could not be traced as far as the umbilical region, or, if so, •84 Autopsy of the Double Monster. the branches were exceedingly small, and spread out in a fan-shaped expansion of peritoueum. The lungs were more subdivided than usual, and on the free edges were several auricular appendages. The tho- racic organs were, in other respects normal. The livers presented a number of supplementary lobules and fissures, but were of the usual size. The spleens occupied their normal positions in each child, and were, in every respect, normal. In the small child instead of the layers of perito- neum, which extend downwards to form the anterior layers of the great omentum, there was a fold attached to the large curvature of the stomach, but half an inch broad. In the large child this fold extended to the colon, as is usual, and formed below a free, thin layer, which represented the great omentum. The stomachs were in their usual positions, but both were so affected by cadaveric softening, that they were torn in their removal, though handled with ordinary care. Fig. 1. Fig. 1 — View of the abdominal eyst, with ovaries and Fallopian tubes attached, a, the cyst; 6, the normally de- veloped uterus and ovaries ; c, the common large intestine crossing the cyst ; d, the small intestines ; e, the stomach; /, the liver of one of the children. Autopsy of the Double Monster. 65 The small intestines were fused at a point twenty- five inches above the ileo-coecal valve, that of the smaller child being considerably constricted for a short distance from the jnnetion. The commence- ment of the fused portion formed a conical sac, with the base and sides an inch and a half in length. The two mesenteries of the individual small intestines con- tinued separately over the common portion. The in- testine of the larger child measured, from the pylorus to the common portion, thirteen feet three inches ; that of the smaller child, seven feet ten inches. There was one large intestine twenty-five inches long, apparently the result of the fusion of two, as there were two appendices cceci and four longitudinal bands, each pair terminating in the appendices. Each ver- miform appendix had a distinct peritoneal fold. The lddneys, larger than those usually seen in a nine months child, lay upon the side of the common spine, corresponding with the perfect lower extremi- ties. This arrangement gave a left kidney to the larger child, and a right to the smaller, which was also shown by the examination of the organs them- selves. Upon the same side was a well-formed bladder , four inches in length and two in breadth ; from the fundus of this a urachus extended upwards towards the um- bilicus. The hypogastric arteries were in their usual position. Behind this was a uterus, an inch long and half an inch broad at the fundus, with perfectly nor- mal appendages. Fallopian tubes two inches long. Left ovary one inch ; right, three-fourths of an inch in length. Lying beneath the intestine, and attached to the posterior wall of the abdomen, was a somewhat con- 66 Autopsy of the Double Monster. ical cyst (Fig. 1, a, from a drawing made by Dr. R. H. Fitz), with quite an irregular outline, owing to the sacculation of various parts. The broadest por- tion, towards the fused limbs, filled the space between the cartilages of the ribs, while the opposite side was only two-thirds as large. It weighed, with its con- tents, 3 lbs. 6 oz. avoir., and contained about two pints of opaque liquid, in which were floating soft, white masses, or flocculi, composed of epithelium. On raising the free portion towards the fused limbs, there Avere seen two Avell developed OATtries, three-fourths of an inch in length, attached to the Avail of the sac by 0 A T arian ligaments ; also tAVO Fallopian tubes. Fig. 2. Fig. 2.— Diagram of the rudimentary pelvis and the nerves proceeding to it. a, the upper of the two cysts found in the rudi- mentary pelvic caA r ity ; b, the ob- turator foramina; c, the obturator nerve; d, the cru- ral nerve. A careful dissection of the cyst from the tissues Avhich bound it to the posterior wall, showed a sec- Autopsy of the Double Monster. 67 ond cyst (Fig. 2, a, and Fig. 3, &,) lying in and pro- jecting from a small cavity formed by bones which resembled the ossa innominata of the fused limb. This was connected with the large sac by a firm, white cord, from two-thirds of an inch to an inch in length and half a line in diameter. This gradually tapered towards the upper extremity. In the lower portion there still remained a narrow canal, as was shown by the escape of a drop of clear fluid after incision. The small sac was carefully dissected from the pelvis, with what appeared to be a mass of fat ; but after removing the latter a third cyst Avas found (Fig. 3, a), the contents of which could be forced in- to the second through a very narroAV canal. The upper of these cysts Avas, perhaps, half an inch in length, the loAver someAvhat larger. Attached to, or rather imbedded in, the posterior Avail of the largest cyst first described, near the crest of the ossa innominata of the fused limb, Avere tA\ r o someAvhat oval, reddish bodies, the largest seven- eigths of an inch in length, the smallest fh’e-eights. This series of sacs and the small, firm, reddish nodules resembling nothing in the fully developed body, but probably represented certain organs, the development of Avhich Avas arrested or in some way parverted. If we revert to the Avell-developed organs about which there can be no doubt, we find two com- plete sets of thoracic organs, tAvo livers, tA\’o spleens, tAVO stomachs, tAvo small intestines fused below, and one large intestine presenting some features belonging to two; also one complete set of pelvic organs, and on the opposite side tAvo ovaries and tA\ r o fallopian tubes. To complete the double series, Ave need two kidneys, a bladder and a uterus. A thorough examination of 5 f>8 Autopsy op the Double Monster. these doubtful formations, bv Dr. R. II. Fitz , gave the following results : — Fig. O Fig. 3. — View of the cysts found in the rudimentary pelvis. a, the lower cyst, containing sebaceous matter ; 6, the upper cyst, filled with clear fluid. “ On microscopic examination, the two reddish bodies were found to contain straight and convoluted tubules, with Malpighian bodies. No duct could be found connecting these bodies with the cavity of the cyst. The inner surface of the large sac was mostly smooth and serous in appearance, with many reticula- ted fibres visible beneath the surface. Some portions of this were covered with an opaque, white, wrinkled, almost nacreous-looking coat. This was easily de- tached, friable, and left a smooth surface when raised. This consisted of epithelium, varying in character be- tween the tesselated and moderately cylindrical forms. Projecting from the inner surface was a conical bodv, about one-forth of an inch in length and perhaps a line in diameter, terminating in a red, rounded ex- tremity as large as a mustard seed. The base of this corresponded with the terminations of the white cord previously described, which connected this large cyst with the other smaller ones. The surface around it had a peculiar reticulated appearance over an area two inches square. This was due to the presence of a number of pouches, with free circular openings from two to four lines in diameter. On passing a probe into these the parietes were found to extend laterally in the walls of the sac for a considerable distance. Autopsy of the Double Monster. 69 in several instances at least half an inch. In the im- mediate neighborhood of the open pouches were found three or four yellow patches, rather smaller than the haed of a pin. Pressure being applied, a yellow semi- solid substance was set free, which was made up of numerous nuclei of the size of white blood corpuscles, and large cells often of the size of mucous corpu- scles. The largest of these, though still containing an apparently normal nucleus, were quite homogene- ous and translucent. The nuclei were faintly granu- lar. These were contained in pouches, smaller, but otherwise similar to those previously mentioned. The wall of the large sac contained spindle-shaped mus- cular elements. This large sac was probably the bladder, judging from the character of the epithelium, and the pres- ence of muscular elements. The pouches corres- ponding in position with the racemose glands at the neck of the bladder, were apparantly due to retained secretion.” The correctness of the conclusion arrived at by Dr. Fitz, is shown by the following chemical examination of the contents of the cyst, by Dr. E. S. Wood. He says : “ The clear fluid was a light straw color. S. G. 1.014. Reaction acid to test paper. Sediment very abundant, dense, white in color, and consisting of epithelium. Albumen , was present in considerable amount, the coagulum formed by heat occupying about one-eigth of the bulk of the liquid tested. Chlorides and Phosphates were present in about the same proportions as in normal urine. Sulphates were present in less proportion than in normal urine. Concentrated Sulphuric and Hydrochloric acids pro- duced the same colors as when re-acting upon the TO Autopsy of the Double Monster. same amount of urine in which Urophaein .and Ur- oxanthin are slightly diminished. Well defined crys- tals of Uric Acid were obtained after concentrating the fluid and applying the appropriate tests. These crystals responded to the murexide test. From another portion of the concentrated fluid were obtained crys- tals Nitrate of Urea, after the addition of Nitric Acid. Thus all the constituents of normal urine were pres- ent, as well as epithelium in abnormal amount, and albumen.” In regard to the two other cysts, Dr. Fitz makes the following statements. “ The smaller one contained a clear watery fluid. Its inner surface was covered with a delicate tessela- ted ephithelium. The other contained a white opaque semi-solid material, made up of fat epithelium. The wall of this Avas formed of true skin, which bore numerous delicate hairs half an inch or more in length. By the exercise of considerable pressure the sebaceous material could be forced into the smaller cyst through a narrow canal lying between the two.” He concludes, therefore, “ that the smaller sac is probably the uterus converted into a serous cyst by the retention of its secretion ; the sebaceous cyst is probably the vagina, which, genetically, is nothing more than inverted skin.” The result of Dr. Wood’s chemical examination is as follows. “ The small sac contained about b dram of a clear and colorless fluid, which was slightly acid. Spontaneous evaporation of a portion, left as the only residude, a number of crystals of Chloride of Sodium. No other substance could be detected by re-agents.” Taking into consideration all the above data, we are justified in saying that there existed representa- Autopsy op the Double Monster. 71 tives of the missing organs, either undeveloped or in some way modified. The spines were curved as they approached eac p other, and fused at the first sacral vertebra whjcp was broad and curved. The limb formed by the fusion of two, was attached to the body by muscles only. Large nerves extended from both spinal columns into the rudimentary pelvis and to other parts. Fig. 2, b and c. No more complete examination of the skeleton could be made, as the body was removed. NURSE WOMAN. OW gentle reader, allow us to say that we should be doing injustice should we say nothing of our efficient and competent nurse woman, Mrs. Carrie Robinson. Many can bare testimony to her untiring efforts in administering to the varied wants of this little wonder, and especially so during the sickness of Mina, while in Newark, N. J. ; during which time their mother (Mrs. Fin- ley) was in Ohio, visiting her other children, and this faithful ( colored ) woman scarcelj 7 closed her eyes in sleep for five or six days and nights. The children were always very much attached to her. There are thousands of persons that will recollect the musical Nurse Woman. 73 voice, the bright eye, and lady-like bearing of this intelligent lady, and how they listened with profund silence and wonder while she was explaining the wonders of this strange and Avonderful child : (this she often did in the absence of the author) Avith ability, grace, ease and entire satisfaction to the audience that would be present. She A\'as always ready and willing to attend the varied Avants of the children or child ; and Avhen they Avere dying, they Avould look to her as if they expected help from her. She could handle them Avith more skill and case than any one — the mother not excepted. THE CAROLINA TWINS, OR <• DOUBLE- HEADED GIRL,” MILLIE AND CRISSIE. §|IIE author formed the acquaintance of these interesting and intelligent girls in Pitts- burg, Pa., in the year 1871, while they were giving public exhibitions in that city, and (.& The Carolina Twins. 75 at the same time and place, was exhibiting Minnie and Mina, therefore we had a good opportunity to study their peculiarities. They now (since the death of Minnie and Mina) are the greatest living curiosi- ties in the world. They have two bodies down to the waist, where the two spines unite and blend into one. Each body has two perfect arms and hands, and they have the full and natural use of the same. They also have four perfectly formed legs and feet, on which they move actively, and can waltz or dance and converse fluently with two persons at the same time. The cut will represent their shape better than we can in any other way, as it is taken from a photo- graph kindly presented to us by them. They are de- scribed fully and exactly in the following from the Photographic Review of Medicine and Surgery, by ¥m. H. Pancoast, M. D., Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Jefferson Medical College, Surgeon to the Philadelphia Hospital, and Surgeon to Charity Hos- pital : Species 1st. — Pygopagus symmetros. Derivation. — pyge, the nates, pago, I fasten, syn, with, metrein, to measure. Definition.— Two individuals more or less com- plete, separated as low as the pelvis, by the lateral or posterior portions of which they are united ; genitals double. In the higher degrees there are two umbili- cal cords, which are normally attached respectively to 76 The Carolina Twins. each abdomen. Vital organs independent in the type. Genus 1st. — Pygopagus. Order 1st. — Terata catadidyma. Derivation. — teras, teratos, a monster ; kata i, down, didymos, a twin. Definition. — Duplicity, with more or less separa- tion of the cerebro-spinal axis, from above down- wards, under the general head of diploteratologv or diploterography, the description and diagnosis of spe- cial forms of double monsters. Under this heading, as the proper place in the clas- sification of a compound monster of duplex develop- ment, as so admirably set forth in the excellent arti- cle by Dr. G. I. Fisher, of Sing Sing, New York, in the Transactions of the State Medical Society of New York, I would report my observations upon the “Car- olina Twins,” or the “double-headed girl,” as they have been called. This case of pygopagus sym metros came under my professional care, January 18, 1871, while it was on exhibition in this city, in consequence of an abcess forming near the genitals, as stated by Mrs. Smith, who is the guardian of the twins. In the course of their treatment, I was enabled to make the following observations and to have them confirmed by my medical friends whom I had the opportunity of invi- ting to be present. After great persuasion and with the kind assistance of my friend Dr. F. F. Maury (owing to the modesty of the twins and the natural reluctance of Mrs. Smith), the accompanying photo- graph of them was taken. They clung to their rai- ment closely, as may be seen, and it was only by ear- nest entreaty that they were willing to compromise The Carolina Twins. 77 by retaining the drapery as photographed. [As it is not proper for this picture to appear in this work, it is not given.] The expression of their countenances shows their displeasure, as their features ordinarily express great amiability of character. This living example of pygopagus sym metros is named Millie and Chrissie Smith. They are negresses, twenty years of age, born of slave parents in Columbus county, North Carolina, July 11th, 1851. The par- ents are still living. The mother is now forty nine years old and the father fifty-five years. They have had fourteen children, the twins being the ninth birth. The mother can assign no cause for the mon- strosity, nor did she ever see the Siamese twins. Dr. P. C. Gooch, in The Stethoscope of July, 1852, de- scribes the mother as a very stout negress of thirty- two years of age, very fat and of a large frame and pelvis. The children were noted as being remarka- bly healthy and sprightly, perfectly formed, and uni- ted at the sacra. The band of union seems to be chiefly cartilaginous, but the sacra are so closely ap- proximated that some suppose there is osseous union of them. Dr. Gooch further says that when he first saw them “the elder one was in a tranquil sleep, but it was awakened by the action of the bowels of the younger and smaller sister, who was then suffering from diarrhoea. When one has an evacuation of the bowels, they both strain.” When I was called to see the twins, I found them very intelligent and agreea- ble, standing about four feet six inches in height, and so closely united that they were clothed in one dress large enough for them both, with sleeves for the four arms and a silken sash tied around their common waist. The frontal development of each was remark- 78 The Carolina Twins. ably good, and though their complexion was of the dusky brown of the American negro, and their noses and lips possessed the characteristics of their race, yet the expression of their faces was so amiable and intel- ligent, and their manners so well bred, that they pro- duced a most pleasing impression upon me. They sing duets and play upon the guitar very pleasantly, their voices being quite melodious. Though joined at the inferior posterior parts of their bodies by the •contiguous sacra, and originally formed so as to be placed back to back, yet they have from their birth instinctively twisted themselves, as if the bond of union had yielded, and their spines have assumed a gibbous form under the exertion, permitting them to assume almost a lateral position, like an expanded V, thus facilitating their movements. They walk each partly sideways, the apex of the V advancing, their main support being from the outer limbs, steadied and guided by the weaker inside legs. Their move- ments are very graceful, and all the curves of their bodies yield harmoniously to their gliding step, as they walk to and fro, run with swiftness, or dance the schottische, polka, or waltz. They can either walk easily or stand upon the out- er limbs, holding up the inside ones, using the outer limbs as in the case of a single individual. In walk- ing and running they rest upon the outer limbs as they simultaneously swing forward the inner ones, and then, standing on the inner ones, swing forward the outer ones. Owing to the obliquity of the junc- tion, the inner limbs are somewhat shorter than the •outer ones, and as they move, they step upon the ball and toes of the inner limbs, which adds much to the elasticity of their step. As they stand fronting me, The Carolina Twins. 79= Millie is on my left hand, and Chrissie on my right. Chrissie is larger and more developed than Millie, Avho was quite weakly as a child, but is now strong and hearty, owing to the support she has received from her connection with her more robust sister. Chrissie can now, as she has always been able to do. bend over and lift up Millie by the bond of union. This she was in- the habit of doing as a part of the exhibition, but as Millie is now so strong and well developed, I advised them to avoid it as a practice,, so as not to injure Chrissie’s health. Millie, though the weaker physically, has the stronger will, and is the dominating spirit, usually controlling their joint movements, though from long habit one instinctively yields to the other’s movements, thus preserving the necessary harmony. Mrs. Smith tells me that when they were little it was somewhat difficult for them to understand this, and individual desires sometimes led to little struggles and quarrels for supremacy. I no- ticed that what required only the exertions of one to perform, one alone did, as shutting the door or taking something from the mantel or table. But when their single plate was placed upon their dinner-table, then each used both hands to carry the viands to their respective mouths for transmission through each oesophagus to their separate stomachs, with evident satisfaction to each individual. Each brain acts sep- arately, there are two intelligences, as shown by their conversing with each other, and they can carry on in- dependent trains of thought, as is obvious from their talking at the same time with different persons upon different subjects. In consequence of habit, their functions generally work simultaneously. They are usually hungry at the same time, and generally desire 80 The Carolina Twins. the same food and drink, both drinking a great deal of water. Their habits are very much alike. They generally sleep and wake at nearly the same moment, though one can sleep independently of the other, and sometimes one turns over the other one in bed with- out awaking her. They defecate and urinate at the same time, though one may have a diarrhoea without the other suffering any pain, or one may be bilious without the other being so, as I found Millie so suf- fering on one occasion, while Chrissie was not. I or- dered Millie a cathartic pill, thinking that she alone required it, but I was told that each had been given one, with the best effect, and I found Millie relieved of her headache. I believe Millie could be sick at her stomach with- out Chrissie being so, and vice versa. It is reported that one suffered more in teething than the other, and that Millie had the diptheria, but not Chrissie, and that they both had fever and ague at the same time. Chrissie, on their left, is a little taller, stronger, and more robust than Millie, on their right. As far as can be recognized, there is no transposition of visce- ra. The hearts are nearly in their respective pla- ces, and, allowing for the curvature of their spines, there is but the slightest deviation of the respective apices to the median line. The heart and lung sounds are normal. The individuality of each twin was again shown on examining the pulse. On several oc- casions, Millie’s pulse was found to be from ten to twelve beats quicker than Chrissie’s. At one time Millie’s pulse was ninety-six beats and Chrissie’s eighty-four ; on another occasion, Millie’s was eighty while Chrissie’s was sixty-eight. The baud of union I measured, and found it to be The Carolina Twins. 81 26 inches in circumference. At five years of age, according to Dr. F. H. Ramsbotham, it was 16 inches in circumference. The distance between the top of the crest of the one ilium to the other, at its greatest breadth on the back, was 14J inches. On touching the left leg of Millie, the sensation and number of touches are recognized by Chrissie, but not the spot ; and on touching the right leg of Chrissie similar ef- fects are produced. In company with Dr. J. Murray Barton, I applied an sestliesiometer on the inside of the leg, first of Chrissie, and then of Millie, and found the limit of tactile recognition to be about 24 inches. On the 8th of March, 1871, I invited Dr. Win. Pepper and Dr. R. M. Townsend to accompany me in my visit. We placed the pole of a Faradaic current in the hand of Millie, another on the outside of the outer limb of Chrissie. They both felt it. On placing one pole in Chrissie’s left hand, and the other on the external popliteal nerve of Millie’s outer leg, the current pro- duced powerful contractions of the peronei muscles of Millie’s limb. Chrissie also felt the current in her left arm. When one pole was placed on the external popliteal nerve of Millie’s outside leg, and the other pole applied at the same point on Chrissie’s outside leg, powerful contractions was simultaneously made by the peronei muscles of both outer limbs. The sensation was recognized from the points of application down to the ends of each one’s toes. When the poles were applied to the middle line of the connecting band and the external popliteal nerve of Millie’s outer leg, both felt the current, Chrissie feeling the current in Mil- lie’s leg, Millie’s muscles contracting powerfully. One pole being applied on each dorsal region, the 82 The Carolina Twins. current is at once recognized by both. One pole placed over Chrissie’s dorsal region, another over the patellar plexus of Millie’s outer leg, a current is es- tablished that they both feel, and powerful contrac- tions of the muscles of Millie’s thigh are produced. We asked, one at a time, to try to lift up the leg or legs of the other, but this neither one could do ; each one having complete control, however, over the limbs belonging to her trunk, I applied the point of a lead-pencil to the top of the band of union at the exact middle line, and each recognized the sensation ; but removing the point on either side less than an inch, only the one touched recognized the sensation. It is an interesting feature in this case, that it pre- sents many points of similarity to that of the Hunga- rian sisters, born October 26, 1701, and that there is no similar case reported reaching adult life for one hundred and seventy years. The Hugarian sisters were similarly united, a symmetrical pygopagus. A description of them is found in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. 1, page 311 (Torkos.) Judith, from an attack of paralysis, in her sixth year, was much weaker than Helen. So Millie was much weak- er than Chrissie in her childhood, but has increased and grown stronger since. With the Hungarians one suffered from a slight in- disposition independent of the other ; it is the same with the Carolina twins. The Hungarians were in- telligent ; so are the Carolina twins. The Hunga- rians could not walk side by side ; when one went for- wards the other went backwards. When one stopped, she raised her sister off from the ground, which Helen often performed, being the stronger. They had no sensibility in common, except in the immediate vi- The Carolina Twins. S3 cinity of the line of junction. Millie and Chrissie cannot place themselves accurately side by side ; there is a marked obliquity of position, for originally they were placed back to back. Chrissie, being the stronger, can readily lift up Millie on her back by the band of union. The sen- sibility is only common at the line of junction, or very near it, and in the two inner lower extremities. The Carolina twins micturate simultaneously, it is reported ; but I believe that the consentaneous mic- turition and defecation are the result of habit. For in the case of the Ischiopagus Tripus Asymmetros, Minnie and Mina, now on exhibition here, aged four months, having a common genitalia and anus, each one defecates separately, as can be seen by the red- dening of the face and the straining of the abdominal muscles of one while the other is tranquil. In each case the temperaments are decidedly different, and the mental functions and nervous systems seem to be quite independent. In the case of the Hungarian sisters, one often slept while the other was awake ; they were affected differently by hunger ; one could read and write while the other was asleep. So also is it with the Carolina twins. The osseous union of the Hungarians was from the second vertebral ele- ments of the sacra to the end of the coccyges. The union is similar in the Carolina twins. In the case of the two Hungarians, the aortae anastomosed inte- riorly at the point where the iliacs were given oft'. The ascending venae cavae were connected correspond- ingly, thus establishing a large and direct communi- cation between the two hearts, producing, of course, a great community of life and functions. So I be- 6 The Carolina Twins. 5>4 iieve it to be with the Carolina twins, and in each case there are two separate hearts. Thus we find a great similarity in the organization, both physical and mental, of these two cases of re- markable twins. The Hungarians lived to the age of twenty-one years, and as in their case it was consid- ered impossible to separate them with safety, so I be- lieve it to be with these (Millie and Chrissie) ; and as the Carolina twins are united in life, so I believe they will be in death, and that the analogy to the Hungarian sisters will be carried out to the last. The union, arterial and nervous, is so intimate, that if either Millie or Chrissie shall die first, the other will succumb almost at the same moment, either from the impression upon the circulation or upon the nervous system. So was it with the Hungarian sisters. Ju- dith died from an affection of the brain and lungs. Helen, who had previously enjoyed good health, was taken ill with a slight fever, soon after her sister’s in- disposition, and suddenly sank into a state of collapse, yet preserving her mental faculties ; after a short struggle she became the victim of the malady of her sister, both expiring almost at the same moment. Eccardus (de Sororibus Gemellis cohferint, 1709), among other cpiestions in regard to the Hungarian sisters, discusses whether their condition would ad- mit of or justfy the solemn rite of matrimony. He answers that physically there are no serious objections, but morally there are insuperable ones, more partic- ularly on account of the extreme liability of propa gating monsters. I agree with him, in reference to the Carolina twins, that physically there are no se- rious objections, but that morally there are iusupera- Tire Carolina Twins. S5 ble ones ; but I do not believe with him that such marital union would necessarily produce monsters. The most interesting point in the consideration of these cases of duplex lormations is, perhaps, in ref- erence to their embryogeny. Where there is simply an outgrowth of some supernumerary part, or even where there is a secondary body more or less com- plete, but only one intelligence, the development of the monster might very readily be explained by some one of the various theories that have been suggested by different writers upon Teratology. The most plausible theories are, that these duplex existences are due either to the accidental fusion of two embryos at some early period of their development, or to the ex- istence of a double yolk, or to the proximity and rel- ative position of the neural axes of two more or less complete primitive traces, developed in the vitelline membrane of a single ovum, as suggested by Dr. G. J. Fisher, or to a hypertrophic power or process of budding, or to the fissuration of the cerebro-spinal axis at an early period of foetal life, as suggested by Dr. H. R. Storer. We must first, I think, explain the development of these duplex formations before we can again discuss the question whether the quality of monstrosity be original to the ovum or acquired by it. This discussion was carried on from 1724 to 1743, Messrs. Lemery and Winslow being the princi- pal champions, and was only terminated by the death of Lemery. A double formation, from the head downwards, or from the coccyx upwards, might be well explained by Dr. H. R. Storer’s theory of the fissuration of the cerebro-spinal axis, or by a fissuration of the prirai- 80 The Carolina Twins. tive trace or groove, provided the duplex existence has not two brains or two intelligences. In Frey- ling’s case of the two united females (symmetrical pygopagus) born in Carinola, Italy, a. d. 1700, and who died at the age of four months, after being sep- arated, there were two intelligences. On the other hand, in the case of George Washington , when the supernumerary body w r as cut from the cheek with the ecraseur by Professor Pancoast, no intelligence died out. George Washington lived, and is living now. Here was one perfect cerebro-spinal system, in one complete body, united to an incom- plete cerebro-spinal system in the imperfect body. The connection of the incomplete body with the com- plete w r as such that great fears were entertained lest the child, only seven months old, should succumb to the operation. In assisting in giving ether, I was ordered to cease administering it, lest the child should die ; for here there was only one intelligence ; there was none in the supernumerary body. The theory of fissuration, or that of the fusion of two primitive traces, might well account for the de- velopment of this case (cephalopagus prosopodidy- mus), as they explain the hypertrophy, or in a case of a single entity ; but they do not seem to account for the existence of two entities, which would appear to involve the idea of two original germs. If the two primitive grooves represent two entities, then how are these two grooves developed ? For any doc- trine to explain satisfactorily these duplex formations ought to account for the highest as well as the lowest grades of union. Neither of these two theories would explain the development of the Carolina twins, the 87 The Carolina Twins. Hungarian sisters, the Siamese twins, or the case of Ischiopagus Tripus, Mina and Minnie, or any of the duplex formations possessing two intelligences, unless they can account for the development of the two in- telligences. In conversation with the Siamese twins, with the Carolina twins, and in Mina and Minnie, I recognized tw T o distinct intelligences. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that such cases are due to the development of two entities at the earliest stage of embryogenesis, whether by the ordinary manner of fecundation of the spermatozoa, or by a double-head- ed spermatozoon, the existence of which Dr. H. R. Storer says was demonstrated to him by Professor Salisbury, of Cleveland, Ohio. If the bicephalous spermatozoon be proved to exist ordinarily, it would be yet difficult to understand how 7 it could impress the germinal x T esicle in a manner to produce these duplex formations, although we know that the sperm cell makes a great impression upon the germinal vesicle. It might, possibly, have as much power in determining the sex and peculiarities of the embryo as the ovum itself, for we know that charac- teristics of the father are transmitted. But to effect the doubling of the embryo, and the formation of two primitive grooves, it would seem as if it should have the power of splitting the germinal cell in tw r o, or that the germinal cell must possess the power of doubling itself, or that there should be two germinal cells or vesicles to be fecundated. With the existence of two intelligences there exist, also, two entities, each one, it would seem probable, due to the development of a corresponding germinal vesicle, fecundated at the same time, orone soon after 88 Tixk Carolina Twins. the other. That two or more ova can be impregnated about the same time in the human female we know,, as in the ease of twins or triplets. In the inferior animals — those that produce litters — we have several ova fecundated at the same connection, and each is produced perfect, as each ovum is kept separate from the other ; but let any two fuse during any stage of their development, and we may have a duplex form- ation more or less complete. The law of homologous union which controls these dujdex organizations, making them of the same sex, joined together at the same parts, bone to bone, organ to organ, -blood-ves- sel to blood-vessel, is no argument against the fusion of two germinal cells ; it only exists upon the expla- nation of this law r . There is no question but that the union of the en- tities composing these highest duplex organizations has taken place at a very early period of embryonic life. In examining the reports of such cases, not always minutely given, or of double monsters of any variety, there is not a single instance that I know of where there has been found a separate bag of water for each individual composing the double monster, such as is almost always the case, I believe, with or- dinary twins. Cazeaux says (p. 866, Tarnier’s edition) there are never two envelopes (amniotic) for a double monster. They heave been reported with two umbilical cords and two separate placentas, and with a single cord and single umbilicus and single placenta. Admitting the fact that the double mon- ster has but a single ehorino and a single amnion, it would seem, if w T e ventured upon the consideration of its development, to be necessary to consider the form- The Carolina Twins. 89 ation of these membranes and how there exists but these single ones. They are found in the ovum itself. The chorion, the most important of the two for us to consider in this relation, and which ultimately does so much to form the placenta, is gradually developed out of the external wall of the fecundated ovum (the vitelline membrane), within which is the vitellus or yolkc con- taining the germinal vesicle (vesicula germinativa). and the yolk itself (Bischoff) is converted into a secondary vesicle, the blastodermic membrane, within the substance of which, about the tenth day, appears the rudimentary embryo. The presence of spermatozoa, singly or in members, has been recognized so frequently in the interior of the ovum (Meissner, Wagner, Heal, Robin, — Caze- aux, Tarnier, p. 122) that, at least, the occasional en- trance of a spermatozoon must be allowed even before the ovum may have entirely left its ovarian birth- place. The spermatozoon itself, developed in a cell in the spermatic (semniferous) tubles of the male, is here found to enter again into a. cell, the ovum of the female. With its entrance the germinal spot disap- pears (Bischoff), and the spermantozoon, according to Tarnier, undergoes a retrograde metamorphosis, and is revolved into granulations, which are mingled with the vitellus or yolk. This vitellus or yolk is now, as we may consider, endowed with unusual power ; it quickly arranges itself into a granular layer, lining the inner surface of the wall of the cell or elementary chorion, and quickly develops into the germinal mem- brane, in the substance of Avhich begins the formation of the new being. 90 The Carolina Twins. Wagner (Cazeaux, Tarnier’s edition, p. 92) has sometimes met with two or even more germinal spots in the ova of the mammifera. Though the fact must necessarily be more difficult to detect in the human race, from the less frequent opportunities for examin- ation, there cannot be sufficient grounds for denying the great probability of their existence in woman. If there exists two germinal spots or two germinal vesicles in one ovum (as can be illustrated by draw- ing two nucelated germinal vesicles, in the ordinary wood-cut, representing an ovum in a Grafian follicle, as figured in the text-book), we can readily admit that the spermatozoa, which enter in numbers, might effect a double conception in a single ovum, even if the existence of a bicephalous spermatozoon be not proved, and that there consequently would be but a single chorion and a single bag of waters. With this condition of development one could also understand that with a single chorion there might be one or two umbilical cords, and a single or double placenta, and yet, further, that the two embryo, formed from two germinal vesicles and developed on the same blasto- dermic membrane, could be united more or less com- pletely, by a more or less adhesive junction or fusion of the two embryonic primitive grooves. If we admit the possible fusion of two germinal vesicles, it does not seem improbable, also, that two or more fecundated ova may occasionally so coalesce as to cause a fusion of their membranes, and the union more or less complete of the corresponding primitive grooves. If this prove to be correct, we may then ac- count, possibly, for the least complete union of the highest duplex organization, as in the case of the Siam- The Carolina Twims. 91 ese Twins, Carolina Twins, Hungarian Twins, or in the closer union of Mina and Minnie, for a double body, with one umbilical cord and one placenta, or having two cords and two placentae. At the same time, the existence of separate intelligences is recognized and explained, as the result of the fecundation and de- velopment of separate germinal vesicles. For the lowest duplex organizations, with but one intelligence, we have only to admit, that if by the fu- sion of two germinal cells some one part is diminished, or is wanting in common, that it only requires a greater fusion of them to destroy a greater portion. THE SIAMESE TWINS. ENG AND CHANG. HANG and Eng were born in a small vil- lage on the coast of Siam in the year 1811. Their parents were in moderate circum- stances, and got their living by fishing, and the twins The Siamese Twins. 93 - when quite young, made their living by selling shelL tish, and followed this occupation until the year 1829,. when they were brought to the United States, and exhibited in all of the principal cities until they had accumulated quite a fortune, and then, being tired of traveling, they settled down, and are now (1874) liv- ing in North Carolina in the western part of the State, they being sixty-three years old. They are united at the anterior part of the chest, or in other words, the epigastrium of one to that of the other, by a prolongation of a kind of fleshy or ligamentous band about the size of a man’s hand, or two inches thick and four inches broad. The whole mass is tough and capable of being considerably extended. These twins form the most remarkable instance of* united twins in this respect, that with two bodies in- dividually complete, they have lived to a more ad- vanced age than any other instance of united twins in the records of science. I will here state some of the Physiological facts regarding them. Dr. Jerome Kidder, of New York, has informed the author that he has ascertained by experiment that the right ear of Eng is more acute than his left, and the twins themselves know very well that Chang is much deaf- er than his brother; he does not hear a watch in con- tact with his right ear. A curious circumstance, 94 The Siamese Twins. which was noticed at a very early period by the twins, is that the two inner eyes — the left of Eng and the right of Chang — possess a much clearer and more distinct vision than the two outer ; in fact, when the two inner ones are closed, they say they are quite unable to distinguish any object clearly. While you may whisper in the ear of one without the other hear- ing it, or volatile salts applied to the nostrils of one has no effect on the other, or pinching the arm of one excites no sensation in the other, still, if you stick a pin in the exact vertical center of this connecting link, both will flinch from the pain or hurt. These twins are seldom observed to converse with each oth- er. They play a good game of drafts, make pretty much the same moves and at the same time, and fre- quently play against each other. They are both mar- ried and have large Plantations, and each one quite a large family of grown children. When last heard from one of them was dangerously ill, and surgeons ■were ready in case of death to separate them. “ Their mother bore seventeen children, and at one time gave birth to three, and never less than two. But none of these children were deformed.” “ Pro- fessor Allen Thompson, of Glasgow, has shown it to be a general law in relation to united twins that the heart, liver, etc., are inverted in position, or in the The Siamese Twins. 95 reverse side in one of the two individuals forming the united twins. This does not hold good in relation to Chang and Eng,” or Mina and Minnie, and the author is of the opinion that it is not the case with the Carolina Twins, Millie and Chrissie. Having carefully examined and conversed several times with those wonderful twins, he is sorry that his mind was not drawn to this subject at the time. They are now traveling in Europe, therefore it is not convenient to ascertain that fact at the present time. The probabili- ty is that this law did not hold good in the Hungarian sisters. We therefore think that the learned Pro- fessor is wrong in his general law. EARLY YOUTH OF THE SIAMESE TWINS. like many Elephant, |E find in Lippincott’s Magazine some ac- count of the Siamese Twins while still in the land of their birth, from a lady who visited their former home. Their father, of the inhabitants of the land of the White was a Chinaman by birth ; their mother, also, though born in Siam, was the daughter of a Chinaman, so that the earth of which the twins were formed was three-fourths china clay. As children they wore the Chinese dress, with their hair braided after the fashion of all Chinese boys, and their parents always spoke of them as Chinese. They learned, however, the Siamese language. Though so closely connected together, they were never regarded as one person, but as two. Early Yooth of the Siamese Twins. 9T Chang, being always the larger, stronger and more intelligent, ordinarily took the lead. When one was told anything which the other did not hear, the latter insisted on being informed of it ; and if this was re- fused it led to a quarrel often of some day’s duration. Usually the brothers were as much attached to each other inwardly by affection as outwardly by the ligament. The mother said that at first the ligament that uni- ted the boys was so short as to compel them to face each other, nor could they turn in bed without being lifted up, and laid in the desired position ; but as they grew and exercised more freely, the ligament gradu- ally lengthened, till they were able to stand side by side, and even back to back, and to turn themselves in bed by rolling one over the other. The little cottage where the boys passed their child- hood was of the sort known in Siam as “ floating houses.” They are one-story buildings, moored on the river bank, and kept in place, not by anchors, but by large poles on each side driven into the muddy bottom. They are built either of teak boards or bamboo, roofed with attap leaves, and contain three or four rooms, of which the front one is a shop, besides a ve- randa, which overlooks the river or canal. Here, day by day, as the father plied his trade of catching fish, or cleaned and sorted them for market, and the mother was selling wares in her little shop, the twin brothers amused themselves in the broad, cool veran- dah, watching their parents, and aiding in such light labors as they were able to undertake. Sometimes they went fishing in the boat with their 98 Early Youth of the Siamese Twins. father ; and, like all Eastern children, they soon learned to swim, and spent much of their time in the water. One day, while they were thus engaged, Mr. Robert Hunter, a Scotch merchant residing in Bang- kok, passed in his boat, and, attracted by the perfect uniformity of the children’s movements, he stopped to ascertain how they managed to keep thus closely side by side. One can imagine his amazement at the discovery of the cause ; and from that day, which was sometime during the year 1824, Mr. Hunter began concocting measures to get them off to Europe for exhibition. His efforts were not at first successful, and it was not till five years after, that Capt. Coffin, by giving the parents a large sum of money, induced them to part with their curious offspring. At the age of eighteen, they were found by a sea Captain from Eewburyport, Mass. This Capt. Cof- fin bought them from their parents, who, as stated before, were very poor people, and taking them on board his ship brought them to this country. Here they excited a great deal of interest. That which seemed to excite the most wonder in the minds of those who saw them, but which was really one of the least wonderful things about them, was that they ap- peared always to think and act alike. When they were coming over from Siam, the sailors used to play with them and chase them around the ship. One day in running to escape from their pursuers, they 99 Early Youth of the Siamese Twins. came to an open hatchway. If they had tumbled into the hold of the ship they would probably have been killed. They both leaped at the same instant and landed safely on the other side. Among other things, scientific men tried to decide whether their likeness iu thought and action was caused by their being joined together, that is, because they had, as it were, only one body. The general opinion was that such was not the case, but that their harmony was the result of habit. From infancy they had been obliged to do the same thing at the same time, to think and to act alike, as two most intimate friends. It was always a very interesting question whether cither of the twins could continue to live if the connection should be cut. When they were in Europe some years ago, very eminent sur- geons were consulted on this point, and they submit- ted to some experiments intended to settle the ques- tion. One of these was tying a cord very tightly around the band that joined them, when they both showed signs of distress, and came very near fainting. From this it was concluded that they could not be separated and live— although a few physicians de- clared that it would be possible — but all advised that if either should die the band between the living and dead should be severed at once. The twins them- 7 100 Eably Yon i ii of tiie Siamese Twins. selves however, secretly deteffinined not to act on this advice. They directed by their wills that they should never be parted, even in death. It would probably have been impossible for either to live without the companionship of the other, even if there had been a possibility of mere existence when they had been separated. But evidently they had agreed that neither wished to survive the other. It is said to be surprising what these two men could do, iu spite of their being held so closely together. They could turn back to back or face to face with but little inconvenience, and one could stand on a stool while the other was on the floor. They were able to do the ordinary work on a farm, and, although so strangely connected, they could perform more than the labor of one man but could not perform the labor cf two. They were possessed of a very good degree of intelli- gence. Even on the passage to this country, they learned to play checkers well enough to defeat some old players. They learned our language, and became good American citizens. Some years ago they united with a Baptist church in North Carolina, and were regarded as consistent church members. The most remarkable thing about these twins, after all, is that they were able to overcome to so great an extent the restraints which nature had put upon Phrenological Likeness of tile Twins. 101 them. That which made them differ from other men hindered them also in doing what other men do. They succeeded in conquering nature as really as the blind man does when he learns to see with the fingers, or as the dumb child does when he learns to hear with his eyes. They might have been contented to live at ease by showing their peculiarity. They chose instead, to earn a living as other men do. For this they were entitled to credit, and to be remembered with respect by all, as men who, under difficult cir- cumstances, tried to act well their part. THEIR PHRENOLOGICAL LIKENESS. Professor O. W. Fowler, of New York, says : The Siamese Twins, Eng and Chang, furnish an- other striking example of the truth of prenological science. It is well known that their traits of charac- ter, including their feelings, pa-ssions, abilities, dispo- sitions, modes of thinking, of acting, and so forth, are so much alike as frequently to start the pretence, and induce the belief, that they possess but one mind, ©r, at least, that, in consequence of the wonderful, physical connexion of their bodies, there exists be- tween them a similar union of mind, or such a one as to cause both minds to think, feel, and act simultane- ously alike. Although it is a mere pretense, yet the foundation of it remained to be developed and ex- plained by phrenology. In the autumn of 183G, at the Washington Hotel, N. Y., their heads were examined by the narrators, O. S. Fowler and S. Kirkham, 102 Phrenological Likeness of the Twins. when, to their surprise and admiration, they were found to be most wonderfully and strikingly alike, not only in size and general outline, but even in the minute development of nearly all the phrenological organs. Some small difference, indeed, in the develop- ment of some few of the organs, does exist; but then it is so slight as to be detected only by the most min- ute and accurate observation. Among all the heads ever examined by the authors, such an agreement of size, shape, and temperament, or any thing approach- ing to it, in any two, they never before witnessed or heard of; and hence, the striking coincidence between the characters and dispositions of the two brothers, no longer remains a mystery ; for, in addition to the general, natural law, (which operates in this case), that “ like causes produce like effects,” from the ne- cessity of the case, their training, habits, and educa- tion, have been alike, more perfectly so than that of any other two individuals that ever lived. But not- withstanding this, it has been stated, that a slight difference in the development of some few of their organs, was pointed out by the phrenologists, and the consequent difference in their characters, specified. In relation to this point, as well as all the points of agreement, both the young gentlemen and gentleman who accompanied them, fully confirmed and cor- roborated the statements of the examiners. Again we appeal to our opponents to answer the question. If phrenology is not a true science, how could these nice distinctions and discriminations of difference in character, have been thus accurately pointed out merely by an examination of the physical form of the head ? And again : If the disposition and talents of Death of the the Siamese Twins. ioa individuals, depend solely on education or training, how could any difference in these respects, exist be- tween the twins ? DEATH OF THE SIAMESE TWINS. ENG SURVIVES CHANG BUT A FEW MINUTES — GRIEF OF THEIR WIVES AND DEAF MUTE CHILDREN. SPECIAL from Richmond makes the an- nouncement of the sudden death of the celebrated Siamese Twins, Saturday morn- 1 i n g, {] ie 17th, of January, 1874, at their residence at Mount Aiery, Surry Count)', N. C. Chang was partiy paralyzed last fall, since which time he had been fretful, very much debilitated, and strongly addicted to drinking liquor as a means of alleviating his sufferings. He had been quite feeble for several davs, so much so as to coniine the brothers to their bed. On Friday night Chang became worse, and expired suddenly. About 4 o’clock Saturday morning Eng became so teriibly shocked that he raved wildly for awhile. The attack was followed by what seemed to be a 104 Death of the Siamese Twins. deadly stupor, and In two hours, it, is supposed, from the deatli of Chang Eng breathed his last. The wives and families of the twins are in the deepest grief, the children, many of whom are deaf mutes, express their sorrow in the most pitiful manner. They were about sixty-three years of age, having been born in Siam in 1811. Their parents were Chinese. They were brought to this country in 1829 r and attracted great attention both in America and Europe, which they afterward visited, from the fact that they had been united from their birth by a fleshy band uniting the lower end of their breast bones. They seem at first to have stood face t > face, but by constant effort they had become so turned that they could stand nearly side by side. The band, which was two or three inches long and about an inch and a half thick, was covered with skin, and sensitive. If touched in the middle, both felt it. Otherwise the sensitiveness only extended to one nearest the point affected. The twins were usually very affectionate and sympathetic, though they quarreled occasionally. Physicians differed as to the possibility of their being cut apart without destroying their lives. They made a respectable fortune by exhibiting themselves, and settled in North Carolina, where they married two sisters. Each had a numerous offspring. They found it impossible to preserve harmony between the wives ; hence they had separate households, each living with his wife for a week alternately. They lost their slaves, and were otherwise improv- ished by the war of the rebellion, and again exhibited themselves. In this city (Cincinnati) they appeared at Mozart Hall, six or seven years ago. The two colored. The Dead Siamese Twins. 10} sisters, known as the ‘‘ two headed girls,” from the fact that their bodies were united, were exhibited at the same time. At this time the twins were gray haired, and their yellow mongrel skin was dry and withered. Several of their children accompanied them. Chang, whose constitution had become broken by disease, and intemperance, died first, after a brief illness. Eng, on learning his brother’s fiite, became violently excited, and expired in about two hours. How much mental sympathy and how much physical causes had to do with Eng’s death does not yet appear. It is to be regretted that surgical aid was not at hand to effect a prompt separation of the living and the dead. TIIE DEAD SIAMESE TWINS. The death of the Siamese twins in Mount Aiery, near Salisbury, N. C., on the 1 7th of this month, ended one of the most remarkable of natural phe- nomena. They came to this country in 1829, when they were 18 years old, having previously been shown in Europe. They were born on the coast of Siam, and their parents lived by fishing. None of their fifteen brothers and sisters were deformed, although many of them were twins. They made the tour of the United States, and, except Tom Thumb, were the greatest objects of wonderment to the people. Nor was the curiosity regarding them confined to gaping ruralists. To many men of science they were the first specimen of joined and living human beings. The fleshy ligature which linked them was about a foot in length, two inches broad, and four thick, and through it ran a large artery and many veins, making Theib Life in New Yokk. IOC their circulation identical. Their breathing, too, was simultaneous when they were asleep. They were not so entirely one, however, but that each had an entirely separate existence. Their senses were totally disconnected. One could not feel a hurt in- flicted on the other, the ligature being the only part in which they were sensitive in common. Much sci- entific discussion arose concerning them, mainly bear- ing upon the question of possible separation. 'i HE lit LIFE IX NEW YOKK. Barman got the twins in 1850, and for several years they were shown in his old museum. At that time they spoke English very imperfectly. They were below the medium size, and when in health their weight together was 210 lbs. Chang was larger than Eng, and looked several years younger. He was, too, the mental superior of his brother, although both were ignorant, and had intelligence that scarcely rose above low cunning. Their faces were peculiarly re- pelling, yellow in hue, and closely resembling those of the Chinese cigar sellers of Chatham street. Chang was the most robust and good natured. Eng was of- ten sick, and always morose and peevish. They had a sleeping room in the museum, as did the other cu- riosities, and one night a rumpus was heard in it. Ou breaking open the door, the twins were found fight- ing. Eng was on the floor underneath Chang, who was choking him. As a rule, however, Chang was more forbearing than the irritable disposition of his brother warranted. They played checkers together sometimes, and took lessons in English with slow re- sults. Their pay was £100 a week, which they equit- ably divided and put into savings banks. They nev- A Double Wedding. 107 er visited their hom'e, and seemed to have no care for their family. When Eng was sick Chang nursed him ; but perhaps did so from selfish motives, as the serious illness of one made it necessary for the well one also to go to bed. Chang had something of an appreciative vein of fun, and liked to give senseless answers, in his broken English, to the numberless questions of visitors. They remained with Barnum until 1855, and it is believed that they had then saved about §40,000 each. Growing tired of show life, they decided to settle down in a warmer part of the Uni- ted States. A DOUBLE WEDDING. In their travels they had been in North Carolina, and its climate had pleased them. So they bought two plantations, and secured wives to complete their domestic establishment. Here they took the surname of Bunker. They were then bachelors of forty-four. They married English sisters, aged twenty-six and twenty-eight. The girls had been servants, and it is said that a Lancashire dialect still clings to them. The making of the double match involved much trouble, for although the twins were not unduly ex- acting, it was hard to find women who were both whi- ling and at all desirable. There v r as no love-making before the engagement, the courting was done by proxy and correspondence, and the ladies had seen their future husbands only at a show in London when they accepted the offer of marriage. The twins based their choice upon likenesses forwarded by their agent, who gave assurances of the respectability of the girls. All having been arranged they were brought to Amer- 108 A Double Wedding. iea, the twins paying their expenses, and the mar- riage was solemnized quietly in Salisbury. The wive?* were not beautiful, but were strong, healthy English working girls. The domestic lives of the couples were peculiar. Each family had its own house, ser- vants, and domestic establishment. Their plantation-- were owned and managed separately, although in matters of consequence Chang was usually the mas- ter. The wives lived entirely at their respective- homes, and the husbands alternated — staying one week at Chang’s house and the next week at Eng’s. Each looked after his plantation and other business during the weeks of living at his own place, and the visiting brother was not supposed to interfere. The wives did not agree very well, and the strangely tied families quarreled so seriously that the sisters fre- quently had periods of complete estrangement, last- ing for weeks at a time. Although Chang and Eng were rich, they did not live happily. Mrs. Chang had the first child and it was a deaf mute. The families increased rapidly until Chang had six children and Eng five. Of these children four never heard nor spoke, although in all other respects all were strong and not deformed. Eight are living, the oldest, a daughter of seventeen, having lately been married to the lessee of a neigh- boring plantation. About eight years ago Chang be- came converted in a religious revival, and Eng also embracing the belief, they joined the Baptist Church. They were regular in their attendance thereafter, and retained their standing as good Christians. Their tempers, however, were not improved by the spirit- ual change, and before the emancipation their slaves A Certainty of Union in Death. 100 were the most whipped of any in the region. The rebellion freed their slaves and otherwise seriously impaired their wealth. To repair their losses they again exhibited themselves through the country, and at Wood’s Museum in this city ; but they were only moderately successful, owing partly to a rapacity which prevented managers from having anything to do with them. A greater curiosity in their line had sprung up, too, in the two-headed girl — two negro children from South Carolina — who are joined at the hips, and who are on exhibition in Paris. Chang and Eng had grown uglier as they had grown older, the latter especially being wrinkled, thin, and bent. Their tempers were soured, and they quarreled with each other constantly. They had gained greatly in intelligence, however, and were more sensitive to the gaze of the crowd. At the Eevere House, where they boarded, they received a few visitors, to whom they complained of the necessity which had driven them back into show life. They also retained strong secession proclivities. During their absence their wives managed the plantations. Those of the children who were not deaf mutes were sent to school, and arc- now well educated. Before their last exhibition here the twins had been again in Europe. A CERTAINTY OF UNION IN DEATH. The cause of their moroseness as they grew older is believed to have been the probability of the fatal effect of one’s death upon the other. The idea of separating them by a surgical operation had been of- ten broached, but physicians had generally agreed that it would kill them. Therefore each was haunted 110 A Certainty of Union in Death. with a dread of being left bound to his dead brother, with almost a certainty of dying under any attempt to sever him from the corpse. While in Paris and London they consulted the most eminent surgeons. One experiment, however, dashed all hope of sepa- rate existence. The ligature was compressed until all circulation of blood between them was stopped. Eng soon fainted, and a removal of the compression was necessary to prevent death. This proved that neither could sustain a separate circulation of the blood, and to have cut the ligature would have killed both. With this knowledge they returned to their homes and lived as they had done before. Later the health of Eng grew worse, and Chang was frequently obliged, although well himself, to keep to his bed with his sick brother. But about a year ago Chang '-offered a paralytic stroke, from which time his health was the worse of the two. He took to drink as a re- lief from suffering, and the lives of the twins grew •wretched indeed. The details of their death are meagre. Chaug died first, and a few moments afterward, Eng, who had for a few days been well, became delirious and raved wildly. This may have resulted from the mental shock and apprehension as to his own fate ; but more likely it wa's the result of a cessation of blood circu- lation between him and his brother. A stupor fol- lowed, and he died two hours afterward. — _Y. Y. Sun, January 20th, 1874. Dr. J. Hollingsworth, the family physician of the Siamese Twins, gives the following account of their death : A Certainty ok Union in Death. Hi; “Of late years, owing originally to an estrange- ment between the wives, arising out of some partial- ity in matters of dress and jewelry, they have kept up separate establishments or farms two miles apart. It was their unvarying custom to spend three days and a half of each week in each house. So unaltera- ble was this custom that the funeral of a son on one occasion and the wedding of a daughter on another could not be attended by them because the ceremony^ was not at the right house. “Thursday, January 15, was the day for Chang to- visit Eng’s house. The former was the w T eaker of the two, having been paralyzed three years before on the right side, and ever since suffering from chronic pneumonia. On this night the extreme cold, the rough road and an open carriage conduced to throw- ing Chang into a severe attack of his affection of the throat, and he sent word to his wife next day that, though better, he thought he would have died that night. “On Friday night the twins slept in the second story of the house, having no one in the room but a little negro, who said they got up after midnight and sat around the fire, Chang complaining very much of his throat. Eng -wanted to go back to bed, but Chang said it hurt his breast too much to lie down. How- ever, they did soon afterwards go to bed, and nothing more was heard till toward daybreak, when Eng was heardcrying out for his son William, who slept in an upper room. “When the family was aroused, after repeated call- ings from Eng, they found Chang dead, and Eng wiih the cold perspiration starting out from his face, pallid,. 112 Medical Opinions. and complaining of excessive cold in his feet, and asking them to pull and rub them. However, in about 11 hours after the alarm, Eng expired, all the symptoms of coming death being present.” The family wished to hear from some of the absent sons of the twins before giving permission for an au- topsy, but Dr. Hollingsworth dissuaded them from an immediate burial and had the bodies placed in a strong wooden box encased in tin and surrounded with charcoal, and deposited the whole in the cellar of the dwelling-house, where the cold weather will preserve the bodies at least two weeks. From North Carolina — Medical Opinions Concerning the Siamese Twins— Bodies foe Sale— $10,000 Asked for the Privilege of a Post Mortem Examination. New York, January 25tli, 1874. A dispatch from Mount Airy, N. C'., says Doctor Win. Hollingsworth, who attended the Siamese twins, is of the opinion that the death of Eng was not caused by any vital connection or artery passing from one to the other through the ligament that united them, and believes there was no such vital connection through the ligament, because he has attended the twins when one was sick and the other in good health, and when there was as much as twenty beats differ- ence to the minute in their pulsation. Medical Opinions. 113 The bodies, after being embalmed, were placed in a coffin, and encased in a larger tin box, which was soldered and made air tight. All was then put in a large wooden box and packed in charcoal and made Secure and placed in the cellar of the house. It is re- ported that the bodies will be disposed of at an enormous price to some museum or medical college, or placed on exhibition. This is to be subject to a ■decision of the members of the family. The charge is made that a veil of mystery has been thrown over the death of the twins, and the real cause of the de- cease suppressed for the purpose of obtaining the above stated object. A dispatch from Greensboro says that Dr. Jos. E. Hollingsworth, brother of the Doctor who attended the twins, while en route for the North, stated that his mission was to dispose of the dead bodies of the twins on the most favorable terms he could negotiate. The sum asked for the privilege of a post mortem examination is stated to be eight to ten thousand. The Siamese Twins En Famille. — A writer in the Philadelphia Press, speaking of the Siamese Twins, says : Much speculation has always been rife as to how the twins courted, and finally became joined in the bonds of Hymen. It happened that they were traveling through the South, and stopped at the town of Traphill, in Wilkes county, N. C. The country in the locality being very romantic, and the land good, the twins determined to settle, and accor- dingly engaged in business in the village, being ex- cellent traders, and their novel condition soon at- 114 The Siamese Twins En Famille. tracted many persons to them ; among them a farm- er named Yates, who lived in the immediate neigh- borhood, and who was possessed of two bouncing daughters. Chang and Eng looked upon these wo- men tenderly, and evinced great affection for them, and, like ordinary young folks, made numerous calls at the residence of their bewitchers, and there being a pair of them all around, a match was soon made, and the four w r ere two (or one). *These wives always displayed great affection for their liege lords, and. manifested the usual jealousies common to the human family. From this double union there were some twenty-two children born. Mrs. Chang presented her husband with some nine or ten, and of these but two were boys, while in the Eng family the daughters were proportionally outnumbered. The offspring, contrary to the general opinion and preceding statements, with few exceptions, were healthy, robust children. Great difficulty arose when the time for conferring names upon the young Changs and Engs came. They could not all take their paternal and maternal relatives’ titles, and they had no Christian names. The difficulty was sur- mounted, however, and the appellations of Christo- pher Columbus, Patrick Henry, Stephen Decatur, Nancy Bunker, and names of a like sort were given to the retinue of little ones. The fathers seemed anx- ious that all their immediate descendents should be well educated, and purchased a house in the town of Mount Airy, shortly alter their removal to that place, where the larger children lived and attended *This conflicts with the at-ove statement, which we con- sider correct. The Siamese Twins En Famille. 115 the school in the district. They were all apt schol- ars, and seemed to inherit a fair amount of natural acuteness from their fathers.” Letter From a Doctor Who Was With the Siamese Twins Five Years. I read with deep interest in the Herald of Sunday (the 25tli) the partial account from your reporter at Mount Airy, N. C. He observes that “ the feeling of regret was markedly observable in the tone and man- ner in which every one, even the negroes, spoke of the dead twins. For twenty-seven years they had been residents of the county, were familiar and inti- mate with nearly every citizen of it, -were universally beloved and respected, and, owing to their well known hospitality and liberal spirit, their loss is just now as universally regretted. ” Your correspondent is very correct, and there are thousands of families in various parts of the United States and in Europe who hold the twins equally dear in their memories, and who have been shocked at read- ing the grossly libellous and lying articles which have been published in some of our papers since their death. The twins were by no means “half idiotic,” “uncouth” and “brutal” in their habits or natures, as has been said by some of these — (well, I won’t sa} T what I think they are) — but they were naturally gen- tle, amiable and kind ; they had tempers, and when some thoughtless fool would insult them they would show pretty plainly that they knew how to resent the insult. They were not “ignorant” nor “unintellectual.” It is true they never were what is called educated, but their natural good sense taught them early that 8 116 The Siamese Twins En Eamille. they had much to learn. And I doubt not that your reporter will inform you that in their library he found well-used copies of the works of Scott, Byron, Coop- er, Dickens, and more than one edition of Shakes- peare. And few persons in our cities have kept them- selves as well posted on the public affairs of this and foreign countries as did the twins. Even in naming their children they exhibited a better knowledge of noted people than have most persons with large opportunities. I can only recall from memory the names of a few of their children — James Madison, Stephen Decatur, Christopher Wrcu, Josephine, Albert and Victoria. The latter is a deaf mute, who has been well educated at Raleigh, and was recently married to a gentleman who is also a mute. All their children who are old enough have been well instructed. This does not look as if the parents were “boors” or “half idiotic.” After a not very short experience with human na- ture, I can truly say, that I never met any man whom I believed to be as positively honest, truthful, full of the true courage of a gentleman, and strictly scrupu- lous in all his dealings as I found the twins to be. In another column of your Sunday Herald appears a letter signed bv “T. M. De Hylton, M. D., Vo. 218 East Thirty-eighth street.” This expert (?) proves conclusively, to his own satisfaction at least, that it would have been as easy to have “ cut those men apart,” without any more danger, than it would have been to have amputated a finger, and that “if the physicians in attendance at the time of death severed the ligature the life of the other would have been preserved.” Excuse the bad English. It is the Doctor’s, not The Siamese Twins En Eamille. 117 mine. And then there was no physician “in attend- ance at the time of death.” It has been my good fortune to have enjoyed the society of and free converse with Sir Astley Cooper, Sir Anthony Carlisle, Sir Benj. Brodie ; Drs. Warren, of Boston; Physic, of Philadelphia; Magruder, of Washington, and many others whose names are known to some members of the profession. All those gen- tlemen examined the twins with great curiosity and care — not once, but very many times— and not one of them ever expressed a belief that it was quite possible to separate the twins without endangering the lives of both. But, unfortunately for those gentlemen and the cause of science, they went to their premature graves without having known or heard of T. M. Dc Hylton, M. D., No 218 East Thirty-eigth street, city of New York. I became acquainted with the twins the day after they arrived in the United States, when they could only speak a very few words of our language. It was I who taught them to speak and to write it. I was absent from them very little, day or night, for about five years after they landed in America, in 1829, and it is only fair to suppose that I am somewhat fa- miliar with the matters upon which I have written. After having studied them very closely for about a year, I had the honor of stating at a meeting of the Royal Society in London in 1830 “ that I did not be- lieve it was possible that one could live two hours af- ter the death of his brother.” I was right. Respectfullly yours, JAS. W. HALE, No. 69 Wall street, New York. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SIAMESE TWINS. HOLINGS WORTH, of North Caroli- na, who examined the bodies of the Sia- mese twins at the time of their decease, found the band which connected them to be an exten- sion of the sternum for about four inches in length and two in breadth. The band was convex above and in front, and concave underneath. The two bodies had but one navel, which was in the center of the band, and it is supposed that there were two umbili- cal cords branching from this, one extending into each body. The connecting link was found to be the ensiform cartilage, which was as hard as bone, and did not yield in the least. (It may be here mention- ed that for some time previous to their death, no mo- tions were observable in the band.) The doctor said Physiology of the Siamese Twins. 119 lie did not think they would have survived a separa- tion, not from the fact of being afraid of separating the arteries, but from fear of producing peritonitis. No hemorrhage would have been produced, so far as could be seen, as there were no arterial connections of any account. Removal of Chang and Eng to Philadelphia for Dissection — the Widows Willing. The Scientific Medical Commission, consisting of Dr. William H. Pancoast, of Jefferson Medical Col- lege ; Dr. Harrison Allen of the University of Penn- sylvania, and Dr. T. H. Andrews, also of Jefferson Medical College, as assistant, deputed by the institu- tions it represents to make an autopsy of the bodies of the deceased Siamese Twins, arrived at Mount Airy on Saturday afternoon last, after a most fatiguing journey by day and night over the worst roads that a mountainous and rugged country ever presented. There they were received by a deputation of citizens on the part of the town and families of the twins, consisting of Dr. William Hollingsworth, Colonel R. T. Gilmer and Mr. Frederick Graves, the first being the late medical attendant of the twins, and the latter gentlemen the agents and lawyers of their families. A VISIT TO MRS. ENG. After a private consultation as to the nature of their mission, the visiting medical gentlemen were promised every facility on the part of the committee of recep- tion, and it was agreed that on the following day (Sunday) they should be escorted to the home of Mrs. Eng Bunker, where the twins were temporarily in- 120 Physiology of the Siamese Twins terred. In accordance with this programme, about 11 o’clock the next day the commission, attended by the committee, drove to the residence of Mrs. Eng, which is situated some four miles from Mount Airy, in a southwesterly direction. On the way they passed the residence of Chang’s family, which is only three miles distant, and soon afterwards they halted at the comfortable log; structure of Mrs. Eng;. The news of the arrival of the commission having spread with electric speed, a large number of people from the sur- rounding country came pouring in on horseback and in buggies, and soon cjuite a crowd were assembled, all of them anxious and interested spectators of the scenes they were about to witness. The members of the commission were then formally introduced to the widows of the late twins, both of them impressing the commission as very proper, dig- nified and respectable women. In a brief interview which then took place, and which was participa- ted in only by the widows, the commission and the lawyers and medical attendant of the families, the members of the commission delicately and deferen- tially set forth the object of their visit and urged the importance to science of an examination of the bodies. After a brief discussion, during which both the la- dies evinced considerable feeling, they consented to the proposition of the commission, on the condition and with the distinct understanding that the bodies should not be injuriously mutilated. This the com- mission agreed to in a few moments. Afterwards they descended to the cellar where the bodies were in- terred. This was found to be a dark but somewhat spacious apartment, the floor of which was the naked earth, the soil above the substrata of rock being of a 121 Physiology of the Siamese Twins. porous and mouldy nature. Accompanying the com- mission was a tinner to open the case in which the bodies had been placed. The scene now was quite a weird and solemn one. The temporary sepulcher was reached by a northwestern door from another base- ment apartment, and when the commission descended the crowd of neighbors thronged in and stood silently around the improvised tomb of the twins. The dark- ness being intense, pine wood knots were then lighted in one corner, the dickering glare of which cast ghostly shadows of the spectators athwart the wooden ceiling and along the roughly built granite walls of the room. In the midst of a deep silence, and with great so- lemnity, the earth was then removed from around the •outer wooden case, which was lifted from its position and conveyed to the apartment without. Here the outside case was then taken off’, the charcoal removed and the tin case presented itself to the view. Pro- ceeding in order, the tinner then opened the latter, and the inside coffin was exposed. With great care this was then carried to one of the rooms of the house up stairs where a full and excellent light was obtained, and after being placed in a proper position the cover was taken off. All the members of the commission and several others present bent eagerly over the cof- fin, the first sensation they experienced being a cada- veroas odor, which, however, was not at all repulsive. A white gauze muslin covering being drawn off, the faces of the dead twins were exposed. The features of Chang were partially discolored, those of Eng being natural. Both the bodies were habited in neat black suits, the coffin was nicely lined with muslin, and, from the indications so far, they 122 Physiology of the Siamese Twins. seemed to be in a very good state of preservation. Both the widows then came into the room, each going to the side of the coffin upon which lay the remains of her husband ; and with a mournful sadness that was very touching, they took a final farewell, and left them to the doctors. This last tribute elicited from those present expressions of respect and sympathy fi r the sorrowing ladies. The members of the commission, assisted by those present, then disrobed the bodies and a partial exami- nation was made, no operation being performed, and the result of this was followed by a medical consulta- tion. From what I could glean, it was found the bodies, though very well preserved so far, would in a few days be in a state of decomposition, and that the surgical operation, if performed now, might endanger the ultimate preservation of the now defunct natural curiosity, a consequence which both the commission and the families were anxious to avoid. It was fur- ther decided that the facilities for an autopsy were so meagre and insufficient that it would not be wise to attempt it on the present occasion, and that, besides the present examination and efforts to obtain good photographic views of the ligament and bodies, the operations of the commission would be limited to a partial embalment to insure the preservation of the bodies. A number of efforts to obtain photographic views were then made, resulting successfully in one instance only. After which the partial embalment was performed and the bodies were once more covered in the coffin. While the photographic artists were busily engag- ed with their instruments trying to obtain negatives of the dead twins, the commission had another inter- Physiology of the Siamese Twifs. 125 view with the widows, when a regular agreement, the nature of which was not divulged, was duly signed by both parties. The commission at that time repre- sented the present impossibility of making the desir- ed examination, the ladies, after some persuasion, con- senting to the removal of the bodies to the College of Physicians at Philadelphia. Soon after this the coffin was again securely fastened, replaced in the tin case, soldered air tight and placed in a wagon for trans- portation to Mount Airy. A lunch, of which the commission and all others present partook, was set by the widows, after which the doctors departed with their precious anotomical charge. On the way a stoppage was made at the house of Mrs. Chang Hunk- er, in order to obtain the consent of one of that lady’s daughters to the removal of the bodies. This was finally very reluctantly given, as that young lady was opposed from the beginning to the whole pro- ceeding. The commission returned to Mount Airy late Sun- day evening. On Monday they left for Salem, in Forsyth county, in a carriage, the wagon containing the coffin following, and behind two buggies with the photographers, the whole making QUITE A FUNERAL PROCESSION, which attracted the attention of the people all along the route. On Tuesday afternoon the cortege reached Salem, where the bodies were shipped to Greensboro, the commission accompanying them. They arrived at that point this morning and left for Philadelpphia this afternoon, where they will arrive to-morrow at half past one o’clock. — N. Y. Herald , Feb. 4, 1874. OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE AUTOPSY OF THE SIAMESE TWINS. 1 1 E following official report of the special =1 meeting of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, held on Wednesday evening, appears in the Philadelphia Medical Times : A special meeting of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia was held at the hall Wednesday even- ing, February 18, 1874, for the purpose of hearing the report of the Commission on Siamese Twins, Hr. W. S. W. Ruschenbergcr, United States Navy, in the chair. The bodies of the Siamese Twins being upon the table, the meeting proceeded to hear the report of Drs. Pancoast and Allen. On behalf of the commis- sion Dr. Pancoast stated that the dissection not hav- ing been entirely completed, their report would be a verbal one, to be followed at some later day by a me- Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 125 moir upon the subject. He further remarked that it had been agreed that he should consider chiefly the surgical aspect of the matter in hand, while to his colleague had been assigned the demonstration of the anatomical peculiarities. Dr. Wm. H. Pancoast said : Mr. Chairman and Fellows of the College: — Having been requested, as a member of the Com- mission, to open the discussion this evening, I will say briefly, in reference to this monster of symmet- rical duplex development, joined, as many of the Fellows now know, at the ensiform appendix, and also here at the omphalos or navel, that at the inves- tigation which we made on the first occasion at Mount Airy I made the opening incision of the body on the line for the ligation of the primitive iliac, on the right side ; Dr. Allen made the incision on the left. The object was to reach the great vessels — the aorta and two primitive iliaes — and to force the injecting material which we use for embalming (chloride of zinc) up the aorta and down the iliaes until it ran from the incisions made in the fingers and toes. It flowed flreely through the blood-vessels of Eng, ow- ing to the ossified condition of his arteries ; the in- jection in Chang was, however, not so successful, ow- ing to decomposition in the tissues and blood-vessels. It was necessary to repeat the injecting process sev- eral times in order to preserve the body. The arte- ries of Chang were found to be very much decom- posed — quite rotten, in fact. In Dunglison’s Medical Dictionary we find the scientific name given for the Siamese Twins, in the classification of teratology, to be Xiphopages ; and by 120 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. referring to the admirable article on “Diploteratolo- gy,” of Dr. D. ,T. Fisher, (published in the transac- tions of the Medical Society of the State of New York for the year 1866,) it will be found that the twins belong to the class of Anacatadidyma. In his classification of double monsters he makes three orders : Order 1st — Teratacaiadidyma ; derived from teras teredos, a monster ; xata, down, and didumos, a twin. Definition — Duplicity, with more or less separa- tion, of the cerebro-spinal axis, from above downward. Order 2nd — Terata-ana-didyma, derived from ana, up or above, and didumos, a twin. Definition — Duplicity, with more or less separa- tion, of the cerebro-spinal axis, from below upward, or from the caudal toward the cephalic extremity of the neural axis. Order 3d — Terata-anacatadidyma, derived from ana, above ; xata, down ; and didumos, a twin. Definition — Duplicity, with more or less separa- tion, of both the cephalic and the caudal extremity of the cerebro spinal axis, existing contemporaneously. In this order the monster now before us might be called an Omphelojagus Xiphodidymus. Thus we have the scientific nomenclature of this monster. Of course the consideration of greatest in- terest to the profession, and one of the main reasons why the Commission made such exertions to obtain the post mortem, was that the American profession might not be charged with having neglected an effort to obtain an autopsy, which would solve the mystery of their union. The feature of greatest interest is connected with the band — about four inches long and Autopsy ok the Siamese Twins. 127 eight inches in circumference. In addition to this, there are other points of importance in teratology, in regard to the fulfillment of the law of homologous union, in relation to the juncture of the recti mus- cles, and the fasciae of the obliquus and transversalis at their point of meeting in the center of the band. In regard to the position of the hearts, we think their apices present toward each other ; but we have not yet opened the thorax. The livers we have found to approximate to each other and to push through the respective peritoneal openings into the band. We extended our incisions to the margin of the band in front. By placing my hand in the peritoneal cavity of Eng, and my colleague placing his hand in the peritoneal cavity of Chang, we pushed before us pro- cesses of peritoneum, which ran on to the median line of the band ; and we could feel our fingers in the lower portion of the band, behind the median line, with a distinct layer of peritoneum between them, demonstrating at once the prolongation of the perito- neum into the band, and the complete separation of one peritoneal cavity from the other at this median line. Above that we felt some traces of vascular con- nection, apparently running from one liver to the other ; but this we will examine into when we have a better opportunity of carefully dissecting and exam- ining what vascular structures may exist. We also noticed that in turning off the flaps, consisting of the anterior walls of the abdomen, the hypogastric arte- ries, as illustrated by the diagram on the blackboard, ran upward in each body into the band. We lost them in this way, as we think, toward the common umbilicus in the anterior inferior surface of the mid- dle of the band. 128 Autopsy of the Siamese Twixs. It is possible that the two hypogastric arteries on each side passed through this umbilicus. Whether or not there were two umbilical veins, we have not been able to decide, nor to answer the question wheth- er the umbilical cord was double or single, and com- posed of the four hypogastric arteries and two um- bilical veins, or whether the placenta was single, double or twin. We also recognized that the ensiforn appendix, as shown in the diagram of each side, was prolonged and united in the middle line. On our later examin- ation we find that there is complete continuity of structure of the cartilages, but no true joint at the middle line, although it is possible there may be some small synovial sacs further up. The motion is mainly due, as I here demonstrate to you by moving these bodies one upon the other, to the elasticity of the con- nected ensiform appendices and intervening fibro-car- tilages. In regard to the vascular connection of the band, we have not yet been able to make so thorough and careful an examination as we wished ; but still, in throwing colored plaster into the portal circulation of Chang, it has been found to flow through the vessels of the upper part of the band into the portal vessels of Eng. So that the surgical anatomy of the band consists in the skin and facia which cover it, the two separate peritoneal pouches which meet in the middle, the large peritoneal pouch, the vascular connection, to whatever extent that may exist between the two portal circulations, and the remains of the hypogas- tric arteries in the lower portion of the band. Thus the main difficulty in any operation for the section of the band would seem to be in regard to the peritoneal Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 12fs processes and the portal circulation. The anastomo- sis which may exist between the internal mamma- ry arteries and the intercostals in the integument in the upper portion of the band, of course would pre- sent no difficulty. I would not venture upon any further remarks as to the surgery of the case, while there are so many distinguished gentlemen present more competent than myself to give an opinion. At the same time, opera- tions on the peritoneum may not be considered so hazardous in this day, when ovariotomy, gastrotomy,, and even Ciesarian section are so often performed. The peritoneum pouches themselves would not pre- sent so great a difficulty as might be anticipated, under pressure and acupuncture, by which the sensitiveness; of the structure might be so altered as to permit of a section. I was informed at Mount Airy that in Paris a surgeon had made the experiment of applying pres- sure upon the band, and it was reported the twins had fainted in consequence. I could not ascertain, how- ever, whether this was from fright, design, or actual pain. As Dr. Hollingworth is present, it may be proper for me to mention a fact which that gentleman can corroborate, that Eng was the stronger physically and Chang was the stronger mentally. The same differ- ence was observable in their characters. Chang was more irritable than Eng, especially since an attack of paralysis with which he had been afflicted — this being in the side next to Eng. The latter had not only to bear with the irritability of his associate, but also to support one-half his weight. Among other peculiari- ties, Chang would sometimes break useful rrticles, or throw them in the fire. 130 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. In conclusion, let me say that when I turned up the skin and superficial fascia of the H incission on the posterior part of the hand, I was struck with the development and the strength of the abdominal apon- euroses. The fibers arched, interlaced, and develop- ed into a strong, fibrous band about a quarter of an inch wide, running around the median line, although there was no actual joint in the cartilage. Professor Harrison Allen said : Mu. Chairman — I will probably best discharge the duty devolving upon me by at once proceeding to a somewhat more minute anotomical description than Dr. Pancoast has given, this being in accordance with the understanding between us in reference to the evening’s exercises. Perhaps it would be best to point to that simple diagram upon the blackboard, before considering the subject more fully in detail. As Dr. Pancoast has informed the Fellows, there is a union of the twins at the two ensiform cartilages, which are very firmly joined in the center, Eng’s process being the more ro- bust of the two. You will observe that there is a point of conjunction between the two processes which is not quite in the median line of the band. In the center of the band is seen an elliptical space which suggests the presence of a synovial cavity, with fibro- cartilage. It is probable that the ensiform junction is of the character of a synchondrosis, with a me- dian bursa-like sac; neither ensiform cartilage is os- sified. Autopsy of thk Siamese Twins. 131 ENG. CHANG. DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE BAND. A, upper or hepatic pouch of Cbaug. E, E, (dotted iine,j uuion of theeusiform cartilages. D, connecting liver band, or the “tract of portal continu- ity.” B, the peritoneal pouch of Eng. C, the lower peritoneal pouch of Chang. E, E, lower border of the band. Below this point, in the diagram, you see a number of differently-lined tracks. The lower one, (C,) im- mediately above the umbilicus, is only separated from the skin by a very delicate layer of tissue (so that, with the finger introduced into the pouch, and moved, there is a decided indication of motion in the skin) on the under surface (E, E,) of the hand. This pouch passes across the hand from the abdo- men of Chang, and is lost in the duplicature of the suspensory ligament of the liver of Eng. The finger 132 Autopsy of the (Siamese Twins. passed upward to the band from the abdomen of Eng crosses the band above the pouch just mentioned, and is lost between the layers of the suspensory ligament of the liver of Chang. When the significance of the round ligament at the free border of the suspensory ligament is remembered, the relations of these pouch- es directly suggested that they have had essential bearings to the umbilical vein of the funis, and might be provisionally termed the umbilical pouches. Above Eng’s pouch, (B,) and between it and the under surface of the ensiform conjunction, is a second pouch, (A,) prolonged from Chang’s abdomen, which fairly reaches the peritoneal cavity of Eng, but is not continuous with it. Extending up into this pouch from Chang’s abdomen is a process which suggested to the commission the possibiliiy of the transit of he- patic vessels. This view was rendered more proba- ble from the fact that a similar process passed up in- to the band from the liver of Eng. Accordingly, the plaster injection, colored by ultra-marine, was thrown into a tributary of the portal vein of Chang, when it was observed that the fluid passed freely in- to the liver of Eng, as well as into some of the me- senteric veins proper. It is my own hypothesis that this bond of union (D) was the true hepatic tract ; but in its present state, in the absence of evidence of any parenchymatous admixture about the vessels thus crossing the band, we prefer to denominate the transit as the tract of portal continuity. In the foetal condition it is very likely that this large space (A), the upper pouch, now continuous with the abdomen of Chang only, was entirely occu- pied by true liver-tissue, which, as maturity was at- tained, became smaller, and left an empty space. — Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 133 Hence I propose to call this upper pouch the hepatic pouch. The contraction chanced to be greater on Chang’s side, in harmony, it may be, with other ev- idences of a weaker and less developed type, which is so apparent in many of the tissues of Chang. Now, with reference to the demonstration. As Dr. Pan- coast has already informed you, the incisions in the abdomen were made in rather an exceptional manner. By reference to the parts, it will be seen that the in- cision in either individual was located in such a way as to avoid the median line, since it was supposed, from the peculiar position of the umbilicus, that the remains of the hypogastric arteries would be found extending from the fundus of the bladder upward and onward along the entire length of the anterior wall of the abdomen. Besides, this decision would enable us, by continuing from below upward, to fairly open the abdomen and examine the cord, without vi- olating the conditions by which the commission was bound. The flap comprises the greater part of the abdomen wall, and can be best observed, from the po- sition of the bodies on the table, in that of Eng. You notice that the tissues are well supplied with fat ; and this condition is very plainly in contrast with that of Chang. Eng’s side of the band is well nourished ; Chang’s end of the band presents an en- tirely different aspect. Chang was an invalid, and the weaker half of this organism, with less strength in the abdominal wall, and in every way less tissue, than was possessed by Eng. You can mark that dis- tinction very plainly in the two halves of the band, proving, if we had no other means of proof, that there could not be any very intimate communication of the vessels between the two. 134 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. The first point worthy of notice is that of an iso- lated mass of adipose tissue, evidently sub-peritoneal, which is the position of the usual umbilicus, namely, in the median line of the abdomen, about half way up the anterior wall. This is strictly symmetrical, a similar point of about the same size being found in Chang. Another fact equally well pronounced is that in Chang the bladder was found very much contracted and contained no urine ; it was deep down in the cav- ity of the true pelvis. That of Eng, however, was distended with urine ; hence there was a contrast in the appearance of the fold underneath the skin in the two individuals, in consequence of the great differ- ence in the actual size of the bladder. My finger is now in the umbilical pouch of Chang, (C.) The motion is noticeable in the under surface of the band. On the side of Eng no such motion will be observed. I can very clearly see my finger passing between the two folds of the suspensory liga- ment. At this point it would perhaps be well to ex- hibit the drawings which have been made of the views which we have been able to obtain from this very limited incision. On looking up toward the band with the greatest possible stretch of tissue, we see the arrangement of the remains of the hypogastric arte- ries converging toward the bond of union. In this lower diagram we show you the livers joined by what is supposed to be the tract of portal continuity. You will observe the limits are somewhat symmetrical. Here is the liver of Chang, with a fore-shortened right lobe : Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 135 ENG. Hepatic view. CHANG. DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE LIVERS, PORTRAVING THE RELATIONS OF THE VESSELS, &C. The arrows show the direction in which the injection passed from Chang to Eng. The remainder of the right lobe is deep within the abdomen, and ol course it has not been seen. Here is the fundus of the gall bladder, and there the sus- pensory ligament, carrying the remains of the umbil- ical vein. When the finger is passed from Chang into Eng, it is received between the folds of the sus- pensory ligament of Eng. In Eng the parts are es- sentially the same, although you see more evidence of adipose tissue. Here is a little ligament aiding in the support of the liver, to whose convexity it is at- tached ; it is not seen in Chang at all. A"ou might term it an accessory suspensory ligament. When the 136 Autopsy op the Siamese Twins. linger is introduced there, it is observed to terminate blindly, showing, we think, that this is no more than an adventitious pouch, due to the presence of that suspensory ligament. We find some vessels in the portal system, even a-^ far down as the mesentery, well filled with the blue coloring matter. We of course desired, as far as pos- sible, to examine all the tissues here by these inci- sions ; lienee it was that when the bodies were in thi> position, the skin was taken off from the wall in or- der to get a view of the linea alba. [The bodies were here inspected by the audience, and afterward turned so as to expose the posterior part of the band. Further remarks apply to this posterior aspect.] Dr. Pancoast — While the bodies are being turned 1 will take the opportunity of replying to one or tw questions which have been asked me. First in regard to the common sensibility of these individuals. Ac- cording to the statements we received at Mount Airy there was a line of common sensibility corresponding- to the median line of the band. Dr. Hollingsworth soys that if a pin was stuck into the band at the me- dian line, both of the twins would feel it distinctly : but that even at a slight distance to either side, the point of the pin produced an effect only on the twin of that side. Another question has been asked me as to whether either cf them was ever put separately under the in- fluence of an anesthetic. I answer it by saying that so far as we know it never was attempted, but that when, upon the final occasion, Chang was anestetized by death, Eng was for a time unaffected. The story, as told at Mount Airy, was that Eng waked up and Autopsy of the Siamese Tw ins. 137 asked his son. “How is your Uncle Chang ?” The boy said : “Uncle Chang is cold. Uncle Chang is dead.” Then great excitement took place. Eng commenced crying out immediately, saying to his wife, whom they called in, “My last hour is come,” and finally sank away. He was in perfect health when they went to bed. They had been sitting up in a large double chair made for their accommodation. Eng was smoking his pipe until he became sleepy, and finally said to Chang, “We must retire.” Chang said that he could not lie down comfortably. I understand that when they went from Chang’s house to Eng’s house, where they died, it was against the direction of Dr. Hol- lingsworth ; but, with their usual stubbornness, they persisted in riding the distance in an open buggy. To return to the narrative of the night of their death, after Chang had refused to lie down, they walked about the house for some time, and even went out to the porch and washed their hands and drank some water. It was about one o’clock when they went to bed. Then Chang died, sometime between that and morning, his death not producing any immediate im- pression on Eng. It was only when the latter woke up and inquired about the condition of his brother, that lie was at all affected. As to the question “What caused Eng’s death ?” 1 am not able to tell. The post mortem which has been made does not show the condition of his lungs. Probably the valves of his heart were in a disorgan- ized condition, and probably also the shock upon that weakened organ caused death. 138 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. Dr. Allen — In my opinion Chang died of a cere- bral clot. From inquiry at -his home, I was led to believe that the lnng symptoms were not due to pneu- monia ; indeed, were not severe enough to have been so caused. The suddenness of the death, the general atheroma of the arteries, and the fact that there had been previously an attack of cerebral paralysis, all indicated that the death was of cerebral origin. Eng probably died of fright, as the distended bladder seemed to point to a profound emotional disturbance of the nervous system, the mind remaining clear un- til stupor came on — a stupor which was probably syn- copal. One thing to be settled in the making of our examination was to get the bodies in the best possible condition, so that we could judge of the true nature of the band. You will observe the great contrast between the anterior appearance or' the band and its posterior as- pect. When we suspended them face to face we con- ceived we had them in the proper position for study. On the posterior side there was a fold underneath the skin extending from the en si form cartilage of Chang, passing over, crossing the median line, and inserted into the ensiform cartilage of the opposite twin, Eng. It was one'of the objects of the examination to de- termine what was the nature of this fold. I judge it to be the linea alba ; but I leave the Fellow- to de- cide that for themselves. I will also add that, be- cause we had not the privilege of cutting the anterior portion of the band, we were obliged to cut down from the point of which I have spoken to get to the structure, and demonstrate these culs-de-sac from be- hind. Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 130 Here (referring to the casts) from this point the in- cision is horizontal about midway, and joined lateral- ly by two oblique lines which were directed one up- ward and the other downward and outward, making a modified letter H incision. Thus wc got all the space we needed. When J raise the skin we see the umbilicus of the superficial fascia ; and on lifting the other flap we get a better general demonstration. And now we come upon the point of interest, name- ly, the position of the band and its true nature. We have a diagram here. You notice on Chang’s side that there is an arrangement of interlacing aponeurot- cifibers, marked here ; and these fibers, starting in Chang, pass across the median line and are inserted in the ensiform cartilage of Eng. Turning the lower flap downward, the upper flap upward, and the two lateral tongues outward, the superficial facia is expos- ed. This is abundantly supplied with adipose tissue on either side, but is free from fat where it covered the band. Both the lower flap and the fascia are lost in the scar marking the position of the umbilicus. The same dissection exhibits the position of the lower pouch of Chang. Turning down the external ob- lique, the two recti, and the internal oblique muscles, the transvers dis was exposed, the latter forming a very well defined layer in Eng, with an interval be- tween the ensiform cartilage and the inferior margin of the thorax. These were much less marked in Ch ang. Turning forward this layer of fibers in Eng from without inward, the diaphragm is brought into view. Muscular fibers are conspicuous in this position. The peritoneum on either side is now fairly exposed. In- cisions mar now be made with a view of demonstra- 140 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. ting the pouches of the band. The upper pouch of Chang is, you will observe, freely opened on its pos- terior aspect, and the vessels in the tract of portal continuity are seen to be well distended with the in- jecting fluid. A small artery is seen crossing benathe this tract of veins, and is probably a branch of the hepatic ; but, whatever may be its origin, it evident- ly could have little effect in influencing the nutrition of parts beyond the band, and is probably retained within the band itself. The lower pouch of Chang reveals nothing which was not demonstrable from in front, and the same may be said of the single pouch of Eng ; thus confirming our opinions of the con- struction of the band before the pouches had been opened from behind. Dr. Abraham Jacobi, of New York, being called upon, said : I am verr much obliged to the gentle- man who has mentioned my name. I do not believe, Mr. Chairman, that I have anything to add to the stock of knowledge in regard to the subject before us. If I were to answer the question as to how this mon- strosity originated, especially whether they became connected after having been separate organisms, I should say that that idea has been given up by those whose opinions are entitled to weight. It is true that years ago such specimens were spoken of by Dalton,, in Holland ; and a number of others have alluded to the idea that two such individuals might in arabronm life become united simply bv adhesion, the result "t their being located together in the embryo. In truth, it appears to me that at that period such a thing might be possible; but, of course, the union would be a superficial one, not involving the deep organs. Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 141 We know that the first epidermis is formed at the end of the fifth week of embryonic life, and that af- ter a time, it is thrown off, so that the embryo of about seven or eight weeks is more loosely covered with the real epidermis than in the earlier period. The epidermis is thrown off a number of times until about the fourth month of utero-gestation, when it is finally perfected and remains intact. Now it is sug- gested that at those times when the epidermis is thrown off, the connection takes place between the two individuals, just as the connection takes place between the prepuce and glans, which we so often find adherent in the foetus and in a number of new- born children. There are evidences which we can not forget, that such connections have taken place before the final epidermis is formed, and about the time one of the earlier coverings is being thrown off, at a period when the internal organs, frequently implicated in such monstrosities, are already formed. There are few double monstrosities so well developed as this one. I think the records of about four hundred monsters have now been collected in the books and journals ; but very few are of such a complete nature as this. Every one has heard of the Hungarian Twins, who lived to the age of twenty-one years, in the last cen- tury. Another pair of female twins, that traveled in Germany about two years ago, were described at the time in the Berliner Wochenschrift. They were of a similar nature. There are two cases on record in which a division has been successfully attempted, but in those eases the connections were not so well devel- oped as in the Siamese Twins. The connection was in the same neighborhood, but only superficial — of skin 142 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. and subcuaneous tissue. One of these cases is re- corded by Dr. Braun (Virchow’s Arcliiv.) Fortu- nately, or unfortunately, I do not know which, they were his own children. They were of the female sex. He separated them immediately after birth. One lived three and a half days, and when the case was described 1866, the other was five years old. In that instance the connection — three and a half inches long — extended from the eusiform process to the umbili- cus. The other case is described as early as 1689, by the old German author, Kernoch. As far as the origin of twin monsters is concerned, I am certainly of those who are not of the opinion that two individuals could get into such an intimate connection by growing together. Certainly the con- nection is an original one. I believe that the general opinion is now that one Graafian vesicle may have two ova, or one ovum have two nuclei ; and these finally may, like the two vitelli of an egg, be closed together, surrounded by the same material, forming a single complete ovum ; and thus it may be that the two are included in the same ovum. I think that this will also explain why the sex is always the same — why they are always both male or both female. They are male in twenty or twenty-five per cent of the cases. From Dr. Paxcoast’s Final Report ox the Autopsy — the Great Mystery Solved. Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 1874. The last point of interest to the public in relation to the Siamese Twins is now apparently settled. It is the question which relates to their hearts, toward Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. 143 the solution of which the medical gentlemen have been slowly and tediously approaching, and which, finds no place in the official document. The report in the N. Y. Herald of Thursday anticipated by just twenty-four hours the official statement of the physi- cians, which made its first appearance to-day. The peculiar abnormality of the livers, the union of the two in foetal life, the strange manner in which an in- jection forced within the mesenteric vein of the one passed into the mesenteric vein of the other, the in- terior structure of the connecting link, the position of the two pouches or sacs, evident reflection of the peritoneal membrane, and the fact that there existed between the two but a common umbilical cord, along with the nature of the cartilaginous attachment from the sternum of the one to the sternum of the other, were all fully and accurately described in a proceed- ing portion of this work. THE HEARTS OF THE TWINS. There is nothing remaining now to investigate save the peculiar position of the hearts. The livers of the twain were upon opposite sides and laid in close con- nection. By the natural law of homologous union the positions of the hearts are the same. Their apexes incline towards each other, but, unlike the livers, they could never have been the same, or, of course both would have died in the same hour. The heart of Eng is upon the right side, and the heart of Chang is upon the left ; hence that of one is strange- ly and abnormally placed. Fluid injected into the heart of one failed to find its way to the heart of the other, as was the case when the livers, located near the bond of union, were operated upon. This is the last fact which establishes the individuality of each. 1 44 Autopsy of the Siamese Twins. In life their sympathies, passions, emotions, inclina- tions and personal habits were decidedly and sadly •estranged, and this circumstance alone, without any keen anotomical scrutiny, would have shown the in- dividuality of their heart and brain. Two individu- als brought from different extremes of the world could have passed through the number of years allot- ed the twins with less disagreement and conflict than these two incongruous, unsympathetic children, forced constantly to bear each other’s burdens and com- plaints. THE DEAD BODIES TO BE PUBLICLY EXHIBITED. There is no further use of denying what has already been indirectly hinted at — namely, that from the time the twins passed from under the knife they became the common property of the country and the world. When the last curious scrutiny of science shall have been satisfied, and when one scans no more the col- umns of the daily papers to learn the mysterious secrets of their union, the two, in public halls and theatres, will be exposed to view, and as the living journeyed from place to place, so will the dead hither and thither be freighted. The strict and stringent contract with the family indicates this, and every stage of the autopsy has been carried on with such in- tent. The sympathetic and somewhat cultured dispo- sition of the eldest daughter shudders and revolts at this, and the voices of their children cry out loudly against it ; but the wives of the twain, urged on, it appears, by a few individuals for the sake of gain, seem to be determined, and once again the Siamese Twins will appear to the world, not as living, breath- ing souls — a strange freak of nature — but as dull and stark corpses. THE HUNGARIAN SISTERS— HELEN AND JUDITH. 4 ;