The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-09-02
From the Boston Daily advertiser.
SoME ACCOUNT OF THE SIAMEsE BoYs
LATELY BROUGHT TO BosroN

about iS years old. They are Of moderate
stature though not as tall as boys of that
age in this country. They have the Chi
nese complexion and physiognomy. The
forehead is more elevated and less broad
than that Of the Chinese, owing to the NAL
formation. They much resemble each
other; yet not SO much but that upon a
little observation, various points of disslmi-
1arity may be noticed.
The substance by which they are con-
nected is a mass two inches long at its
upper edge, and about five in the lower.
Its breadth from above downwards may be
four inches; and its thickness in horizon
tai direction two inches. Of course it is
not round cord, but thicker in the perpen-
-dicular, than in the horizontal direction.
At its lower edge'is perceived single um-
bilious, through wirich passed single um-
hilical cord to noHrish both children in the
fetal state. Placing my hand on this sub
stance, which will denominate the cord,
1 was surprised to find it extremely hard.
On further examination this hardness was
found to exist at the upper part of the cord
only; and to be prolonged into the breast
of each boy. Tracing it upwards, found
it to be constituted by prolongation of the
enSiform cartilage Of the stermumi, or extrem-
ity of the breast bone. The breadth of this
cartilage is an inch. The cartridges pro-
ceeding from each steInum meet at an an
gle and then seem to be connected by liga-
ment, so as to form joint. This joint has
motion upwards and downwards, and also
a lateral motion. The latter operating in
such way, that when the boys turn in either
direction the edges of the cartilage are
found to open and shut. The lower face of
this carthage is concave: and under it is
felt rounded cord, which may be the re-
mains of the umbilical cord. Besides this
there is nothing remarkable felt in the con-
Meeting substance. | could distinguish no
pulsating vessels.
The whole of this cord is covered by the
skin. 1t is remarkably strong, and has no
great sensiblity, for they allow themselves
to be pulled by rope fastened to it, with
out exhibiting uneasiness. On ship board,
one of them sometimes climbed on the cap
stan of the vessels, the other following as
well as he could, without complaining.
When first visited the boys, | expected
to see them pull on this cord in different
directions, as their attention was attracted
by different objects. soon perceived that
this did not happen. The slightest i'm
pulse of one to move in any direction, is
Immediately followed hy the other SO that
they would appear to be Influenced by the
same wish. This harmony in their move
ments is not the result Of voltion, excited
at the same moment. 1t is habit, formed
by necessity. At an early period of life it
is probable they sometimes differed. At
present, this is so rarely the case, that the
gentlemen who brought them have noticed
but single instance. Having been accus-
toned to use the cold bath, one of them
wished it when the weather was cool. to
which the other objected. They were
soon reconciled by the interference of the
commander of the ship. They never hold
consultation as to their movements. In
truth l have never seen them speak to each
other, although they converse constantly,
with a Siamese lad, who is their companion.
They always face in one direction, standing
nearly side by side, and are not able with
out Inconvenience, to face in the opposite
direction; so that one is always at the
right, the other at the left. Although not
placed exactly in parallel line, they are
able to run and leap with surprising activity.
On some occasions a gentleman, in sport,
pursued them round the ship, when they
came suddenly to the hatchway, which had
been inadvertently left open, and the least
check would have thrown. them down the
hstchway, and probably killed one or both,
but they leapt over it without difficulty.
They are quite cheerful: appear intelli-
gent: attending to whatever is presented
to them, and readily acknowledging any
civility. AS proof of their intelligence, it
is stated, that in a few days they learnt to
play al drafts well enough to become antag-
onists of those who had long been versed in
the game.
The connexion between these boys might
present an opportunity for some interesting
observations in regard to physiology and
pathology. There is, no doubt, a network
of blood vessels and some minute nerves
passing from one to the other. How far
these parts are capable of transmitting the
action of medicines and diseases, are points
well worthy of investigation. Captain COT
fin informed me they had never taken med
icine since they had been under his care.
Once they were i'll from eating too hearth
ly, but were relieved by the efforts Of
nature. He thinks that any indisposition of
one extends TO the other; that they are in
clined to sleep at the same time eat about
the same quantity, and perform other acts
with great similarity. Both he and Mr..
Hunter, the gentleman who united with
him in bringing them here, are of opinion
that touching one of them when they are
asleep, awakens both.
The pulsations of the heart are exactly
alike in both boys. Icounted seventy-three
pulsations in a minute, while they were
sitting counting first in one boy, then in
the other. | then placed my fingers on the
arm of each boy. and found the pulsations
take place exactly together. One of them
STOPPING suddenly TO look at my watch, his
pulse became much quicker than that of the
MI h.A he Had
former posture, in about quarter of min
ute. his pulse was precisely like that of
the other boy. This happened repeatedly.
Their respirations are, of consequence, ex-
actly simultaneous.
This harmony of action In nrimaru f,nc