Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-28
THE sIAsIEsE TWINS.

DR.. Warren OF Boston, lately communicated the follow
ing among other interesting particulars in regard to the ST.
amese Twins -
"rhe connecting substance is very s,rnoo and h.s M
great sensiby il can be severely handled w;,bo, os
Ing pain No pulsatng vessel can be felt in it. The slight
est motion of Immediately followed by the other in
the same direction SO that the same wish seems IN nAn
ence both this is quite involuntary or habit formed nv
necessity. They always face in one direction standng
nearly side by sde and without Inconvenience face
in opposite directions One is rather intellectual than
the other the most intellectual being rather Irritable, the
other being extremely amiable
The connection between these twins might afford some
very interesting observations In physiology therapeutics
and pathology There is doubtless Connection by minute
blood vessels. absorbenis and nervous famens which
might transmit the action of medicines and causes of dis
ease As far known any indispOnn of one extends to
the Others they are inclined sleep and eat at the same
time and in The same quantity, and perform in the same
manner other similar acts. 1t is supposed that when they
are asleep touching awakens BOTH but when awake an
impulse given dues not affect the other. The slight
est movement of is perceived by the other that
careless observer might think they acted simultaneously
No part have perception common to both except
the middle Of the connecting substance, and lis eghbor-
hood for when impression is made at this part, felt
by both while beyond this space II Is ie only by the
| Vi the side TO which il is applied.
| From the limited vascular and nervous connection that
be discovered Dr. Warren supposes that the Influence
Of medicine transmitted from the other would be
considerable and the would apply diseases
for instance slight fever would not probably extend from
one the other while diseases communicable through the
absorbens caparies Gas small pox,) would be readily
transmitted The beatines Of both hearts coincide exactly
also the pulses under ordinary circumstances if
himself without the other his pulse alone will be quick
encd while the latter unchanged They breathe also ex-
acily together.
This harmony ncorpoeaI functions would lead to ask
if there be similar harmony in the intellectual functions
if they ldeucally the persons. There is
suppose thai their intellectual operations any
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 Perhaps such operation would
not be necessarily fatal but the peritonium may be conn-
uous from the other, and the opening of this great
serous cavity might be attended with dangerous symptoms
Should one die before the other should be Immediately
performed bu surgeon would be justified in attempting
such an operation 10 free them from inconvenience;
which Inconvenience we may believe the reports their
domestic affairs and furnishing condition in worldly goods,
is after all Of no very great importance"