Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-09-09
= = y II II = y y II =
Mission House, latina, 1923.
From he Boston Daily .1dUsrtissr.

From he Boston DAILY .1dUertiser.
Some further account of the Siamese
BOYS, lately brought to Boston.-Dear Sir
In compliance with your request as well
as in obedience to what / consider pro.
| fessional duty, / undertake to give some
account Of the Siamese Boys, and par
tcularly of the medium by which they are
united together.
The boys are supposed to be about IS
years old. They are of moderate stature;
. though not as tall as boys Of that age
1 in this country. They have the Chinese
complexion and physiognOmy. The fore
head is more elevated aud less broad than
that ofthe Chinese, owing to maliormatlon.
They much resemble each other; yet not
so much but that upon little observation,
various points Of dlssimilarity may be no
ticed.
The substance by which they are con-
nected is a mass two inches long at It's up
per edge, and about FIVE at the lower. Its
breadth from above downwards may be
/ four inches; and its thickness IN q horizon
I tai direction two inches. OF course 1t is
nota rounded cord, but thicker in the per-
I pendicuar, than in the horizontal dTec-
Y lion. At its lower edge IS perceived a
single umbilicus, through which passed
single umbiical cord to noursh both chill
dren in the fetal state. Placing my hand
on this substance, which | viii denomi-
nate the cord, was surprised to find it
extremely hard. On further examination
this hardness was found to exist a. the up
per part Of the cord only, and Is Prolong-
ed into the breast Of each boy. Tracing
It upwards, ! found It be constituted by a
prolongation Of the ensiform cartilage Of
/ the StsTnlanl, or extremity Of the breast bone.
The breadth ofthis cartilage is an inch 81
half; its thickness may be about the Sih
of an inch. The cartilages proceeding
from each sternum meet at angle, and then
seem to be connected by ligament, so as to
form a Joint. This Joint has a motion up
wards and downwards, and also lateral
motion; the latter operating in such way
that when the boys turn IN their direction
the edges of the cartilage are found to open
and shut. The lower face of this carti-
.lage is concaye, and under it is felt a roun-
ed cord. which may be the remains of the
umbilical cord. Besides there is no
thing remarkable felt in the connecting
substance. ! could distinguish no pulsat
ing vessel.
The whole Of this cord is covered by the
skin. II Is remarkably strong, and has
no great sensibilty; for they allow them
selves to be pulled by rope fastened to 1t,
without exhibiting uneasiness. On ship
board, one of them climbed on the capstan
of the vessel, the other following as well
as he could, without complaining.
When first visited the boys, expected
to see them pull on this cord in differ
ent directions, as their attention was at
tracted by different objects. l soon per
ceiyed that this did not happen. The
slightest impulse Of one to move 10 any dl-
rection, is immediately followed by the o.
Their; so that they would appear to be lnfiu
enced by the same wish. This harmony
I'M their movements, is not the resul ola yO-
Htion, excited at the same moment. 1t.
IS habit formed by necessity. At an ear
ly period of life it is probable they somo-
times differed. At present this Is so rare
ly the case, that the gentlemen who brought
them, have noticed only single instance.
Having been accustomed to use the cold
bath, one ofthem wished it when the wea-
/ Their was cool; to which the other objected.
/ They were soon reconciled by the Interior
Ience ofthe commander of the ship. They
never hold a consultation as TO their
movements. In truth, have never seen
\ them speak to each other, although they
/ converse constantly with q SiameSe lad,
who is their companion. They always
/ face IN one direction; standing near side
/ by side; and are not able, without incOn-
yenience, to face in the opposite direction;
so that one Is always at the right, aud the
other at the left. Although not placed ez-
actly in a parallel line, they are able to run
and leap with surprising activity. On
some occasion, n gentleman in sport, pur-
sued them round the ship, when they came
suddenly to the haichway, which had been
inadvertently left open. The least check
would have thrown them down the hatch
way, and probably killed one or both, but
they leaPt over it without any difficulty.
They are quite cheerful: appear intelli-
gent: attending whatever is presented to
them, and readily acknowledging any civ
lility. As a proof Of their intelligence tbs
stated, that in a few days, they learned to
play at drafts well enough 70 become an