The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-02-10
The tEsiamese Twins.

As the already announced vsi5 of these remarkable
pcrsonagcs TO Europe has been associated wth their
desire 10 test the praccahity Of the tie binding them
being severed the following scientific report of what
the result of investigation by distinguished
geon, which clip from Eaisburgh paper, sill be
highly Interesting TO our readers
As our readers are aware the object which Chang
aud Eng, otherwise kown the SianIcse twins, had
in view iii visiting Edinburgh to obtain the advice
OF Professor SffBe TO the ACCESSIBILITY of seFering
the inter communicating baud by which they have been
so long held together. Oar readers, well as the
public generally, will learn with considerable interest
that important step has been taken. On Wesines
day morning Chang and Eng waited on Professor SJme
at the University for the purpose above stated After
careful examinations, Prof Syme strongly of
opinion that such operation would prove highly
dangerous 10 teirlivcs, and accordingly advised that
the operation should not be performed. Sir james Y.
Simpson, Bart, also entertained the view, and
the opinion OF the two learned professors may,
think be taken conclusive evidence ts hitherto
debated point. 1t is intended however, to take he
opinion Of Paris professor the subject. but doubt
less the opinions Of the two northern professors will
have considerable weight with the twin brothers in
whatever course they may ultimately adept.
The presence Of Chang and Eng at the University
was taken advantage OF by Professor Simpson OF show
ing them 10 his class of pnpis and, at the time,
Sir James soweda variety OF drawings of adhertnt
anna grnnted twlns, oil every possible constructions
some, Ike the Sia,nese brothers, being Individually
perfect, but with some organic union between them
others being double below and single above; with
one head aud the four lower extremities complete and
others again, being double above and single below
with heads and four arms, and with only two lower
txtreuIrs, In reference to their possible separ
alton, the question whether the band in question
contains any vital Organs parts, and Sir James
said lie inclined 70 think that the ba did contain
other ntercommunica'ing parts possibly some diver
tcunm OF peritoneun. In soine eases similar to the
Siamese twins other parts had been found ntercomnu
nieating. DR.. Berry, lie said, had related case of
Indian twin children oil the figure the Samcse
twlns where the Intestinal canal probably iutcrcom-
nunicaed, the medicines given to OF the sisters
acted upon both. Dorsen had recorded case where,
on dissection there were found in tile intercommuni-
eating band portions of the liver and diaphragm OF
both the children united. This of course reudt red
the idea Of surgical operation impossible. Sometimes
however vital organic parts seemed to exist in the
irteeommnnicating band KONG two centuries ago
Published short account, with figures, of female twins
united like the Siames twins, and in whom he divided
the intercommunieating band and with success lille
they were still youn-batl the children surviving In
such the bas.d could not have contained any vital
iutercommuncating parts. Freyli e and others had
recorded similar operations of separation but OF
them appeared 10 have been successful. There was
little doubt that the operation would be attended with
probably great danger i'll the OF The Siamese twins
Sir james concluded by suggesting whether electric
light on Lelzorovitc's recent plan, could not be ap
piled so 10 render the band SO transparent to
make its parts practically visible. Daily Review.