The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-09-03
A, i,s lower edge is pe,eeiyed a single

l
umbilicus, through which passed a single
umbilicsi cord to nourish both children in
the fetal state. Placing my hand on this
substa nee, which I will denominate the
cord, was surprised to find it extremely.
hard. On further examination this hard.
ness was found to exist at the upper part OF
the cord only; and to be prolonged into the
breast Of each boy-TTacing it upwards,
! found il to be. constituted by proonga-
tion Of the ensijorm cartilage Of Hs ster-
| mum, or extremity Of the breast bone.-The
breadth Of this cartilage IS an inch and a
half its thickness may be about the eighth
OF an inch. The cartilages proceeding
| from each sterDum meet at an angle, and
| then seem 10 be connected by q ligament,
so rs to form joint. This joint has mo
tuon irpw ards and downwsrds. and also
lateral motion; the latter operating III such
way, that when the boys turn in either d
rection the edges ofthe cartilage are found
to open and shut The lower face Of this
carthage are found 10 open and shut The
lower face of this cartilage is concave;and
| under IT il felt a rounded cord. Resides
this thore is nothing remarkable felt in the
connecting substance. could. distinguish
no pulsai ng vessel. g. 80.
The whole of this cord is covered by the
skin. II is remarkably strong, and has no
great sensibllity; for they iowtltemselyes
| to be pulled by a rope fastened TO ii, with
tout exhibiting uneasiness.- On ship board,
one Of them sometimes climbed on the
capstan Of the vessel, the other following
as we'll as he could, without complaining.
When ! first visited the boys, expect
ed 10 see them pull on this cord in differ
shn.e atta ant, af
I tracted by different objects. ! soon per-
ccived that this did not happen. The
! slightest impulse Of one 10 move in any
direction, is Immediately followed by the
Other; so that they would appear to be in
fuenced by the same wish. This hormo- =
ny in their movements is not the result Of
volition, excited at the same moment II
is a habit, formed by necessity, AZ an
early period Of life it is probable they some. q.
| times differed. at present this is so rare
| ly the case, that the gentlemen who brO't
| them, have noticed only single instance
Having been accustomed 10 use the cold
| bath, one Of them wished il when tho
weather was cool; to which the other OBJ
jeCted. They were soon rec6ffciled blythe
interference Of the command of The shipl
They. never hold consultation as to thoir.
III tTulH, i nave never seen
hem speak TO each other, although they!
converse constantly with a Sinmeso lad,
who is" Their companion They always
face III one direction; standing nearly side
by siJe;--and are not able without incon-
venIence, TO face in the opposite direction;
80 that rue 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 gentleman, in sport pursued
them round the ship, when they came sud
denly 10 tho hatehway, which bad, been
inadvertently left open. The least check
would have thrown them down the hatch
way and probably killed one or both; but
they ieNped overit without difficulty.
They are quite cheerful appear Intellt-
gent: attending to whatever is presented
10 them, and readily acknowledging any
civility. As a proof Of their intelligence
il is stated, that in few days. they learn.
ed to play at drafts well enough to boo ONE
antagonists of those who had long been
yersed in the game. s.. .....
The connGxlon between these boys
might prcaent an opportunity for sose IN
teresting observations in regard 10 physi
ology and pathology. There is, no donbi
net work Of blood vessels, and some mi
uu,e nerves passing from one TO the other
How far these parts are capable Of trans
uniting the action of medicines and of dis
'case.S and especially Of what particular
medicines and what diseases, are points
well worthy Of ofinvestigation.- Cap, Coffin
Informed me they had never takpn rncd,
cine since they had been under his care
Once they were i'll from eating too heart
lily, but we're. relieved by the efforts OF ma
ture. He thinks That any indisposl,on o.
ono extends 10 the other; that they are
inclined 20 sleep at the same time: eat a.
bout the same quantity, and perform ether
acts with great similarity. Both he and
Mr. Hunter, the gentleman who united!
with him in bringing them here, are of o I
pinon tha. touching one of them whenI
they arc asleep, awakens both.
The pnlsstioHs of the heart are exactly
alike in both boys. I counted seventy
three pulsatIons in a minute, while they
were sitting; counting first in one boyi
then in the other. then placed my fin
gers on an arm of each boy, and found the
pusatjons took place exactly together
One ofthem stopping suddenly 10 look al
my watch, his pulse beca much quicker
than that Of the other; but after he bad
returned to his former posture. IN shout q
quarter Of a minute, his pulse was precise
ly like that Of the other boy. This hap !
pened repeaterty". Fheir respirations q re-. !
of consequence, exactly ly.simultaneous.
This harmony of action in primary func |
tons, shows one reciprocal influence,
which may lead Ia curioos observati ons
and important deductions, Whether il
will be in my power to obtain.an further
information in regard to them, is uncertain.