Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-09-07
The Siamese Twins.

Dr.. Warren, of Boston, lately communicated
the following among other interesting particu-
lars in regard to the Siamese twins:
"The connecting substance is very strong,
and has no great sensibty it can be severely
handled without causing pain. No pulsa'ing
vessel can be felt init. The slightest motion
of the one is Immediately followed by the other
in the same direction, so that the same wish
seems to influence both this is quite nvolun-
tary, or a habit formed by necessity. They al
WAYS face in one direction, standing nearly side
by side, and cannot without inconvenience face
in opposite directions. One is rather more in
tellectual than the other; the most intellectual
being rather irritable, the other being extreme
ly amiable.
''Ihe connection between these twins might
afford some very interesting observations in
physiology, therapeutics and pathology. There
is doubtless connection BY minute bloodves-
sells, absorbents, and nervous tilaments, which
might transmit the action of medicines and
causes OF disease. As far as known, any in
disposition of one extends to the other; they
are inclined to sleep and eat at the same time
and in the same quantity, and perform IN the
same manner other similar acts. 1t is sup
posed that when they are asleep, touching one
impulse given to the one does not affect the
other. The slightest movement of one Is soon
perceived by the other, that careless observer
might think they acted simultaneously No
part seems to have perception common to
stance and its neighborhood, for when an i'm
preston is made at this point it is felt by both,
while beyond this space it is felt only by the
Of fEn sid fp p..-hio
"From the limited vascular and nervous con-
nection that can be discovered DR.. Warren
supposes that the influence of medicine, trans
mitted from one to the other would be incon-
siderable; and thssame would apply TO most
diseases--for instance, slight fever would
not probably extend from one to the other
while diseases communicate through the alb
sorbents of capillaries; Gas smallpox would
be readily transmitted. The beatings of both
hearts coincide exactly, as also he pulses un-
der ordinary circumstance: if one exerts him
self without the other, his pulse alope will be
quickened, while the latter is unchanged. They
breathe also exactly together.
.lhis harmony in corporeai functions would
I lead Us to ask if there be a smaller harmony
IlA the infefleetHai functions: it they are lden-
r the salne persons. There is no reason
to suppose That their Finteilectual operations
are any more The same than they would be in
any two persons. confined together, educated
under similar circumstances, and with similar
habits and tastes.
Then would come the question whether
they could be, separated with safety. Per-
haps such an operation would not be necessa
riy fatal, but the peritonium may be continu-
Gus from one to The other ard the opening Of
this great serious cavity might be ex'etided
with dangerous symptoms. Should one die
before the other, it should be Immediately per-
formed, but no surgeon Wou.d be justified 10
attempting such operation TO free from mere
| Inconvenience; which Inconvenience, If We
| may believe the reports Of their domestic at
| fairs and fourishing condition in word ) goods,
| is after all ofno great Importance" ~