The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-01-05
The Siarnese Twins.

The fact that Chang one of the Siamese
twins, had been paralyzed was some time ago
reported by the press, and as the singular union
of these brothers, who are joined together by a
hollow cartilaginous band or ligature, has been
the cause of much of speculation and theorizing
by eminent medical men in this country and
Europe, the following details, which were given
to representative of the New York Sun by a
gentleman who recently met them at their
home, will be of special interest to those who
have taste for the investigation of physical
phenomena:
Chang and Eng visited Europe in February
last under an engagement to exhibit themselves
as curiosity. They remained abroad about
six months, returning to this country in the
Cunard steamer, which arrived here on the 18th
were seated at table engaged in a game of
chess with the Captain of the ship, Chang was
struck with paralysis of the right side: He be-
came utterly helpless, and was obliged to keep
in bed for the remainder of the voyage. Of
course Eng, although not at all affected in his
own person by the unhappy visitation which
afflicted his brother, was obliged to keep the
latter company and also confne himself to his
berth.
On the arrival of the steamer, the twins spent
several days in Taylor's Hotel in Jersey City,
and Chang improved so much that the brothers
were able to sit up, and finally to go 10 their
home in Mt. Airy, Surrey county. N. c.
Since their return to North Carolina, Chang
has gained steadily in general health, but his
right leg continues useless. This, however,
does not prevent the twins from going about
and attending to their ordinary avocations
Those who have seen this curious pair will
recollect that Eng stands on the right or off
side, and Chang on the left, and that the inside
arm of each is usually thrown around the others
back or neck In their present condition, the
way they manage to move from place to place
is this: Chang ties up his right or inside leg in
sling, and with the support given him by a
crutch under the left shoulder, and the aid of
his brothers arm, finds no difficulty in making
his way around the plantation as easily as ever.
The most singular thing about this extraor-
dinary case is the fact that during the whole of
Chang's severe and dangerous illness, Eng has
excepting the time during which he was
wish to be disunited from Chang, even if he
could be convinced that the operation would be
free from inconvenience or danger; and son
recently remarked to friend that his father
would never consent to separation should
Chang die first.
Distinguished medical authorities have diff
fered in regard to the practicability of separa-
ting the twins by surgical operation, though
the general opinion has been that it might be
accomplished with safety. Some have supposed
that the fact that the brothers have but single
umbiHcus, which is situated in the middle of
the ligature that unites them, indicates con-
version in the circulation of the blood through
the two bodies which would render an opera
ton dangerous but the circumstances atten-
ding Changs illness seem to dispose of this OBJ
lection.
One peculiar Inconvenience has resulted from
Chang's misfortune. Chang and Eng, both of
whom have considerable families, keep up dis
tinct domestic establishments, and their houses
are separated by distance of threc-fourths of
mile. Between the two residences flows
rapid creek, which they crossed by means of
foot-hridge, consisting of single log, squared
and hewed Over this narrow pathway the two
could cross with ease while they we're both well,
but in Chang's present condition they find it
impossible to accomplish the passage. As they
are men of no little force of character how
ever, it is altogether probable that by this time
they have found means to obviate SO vexatious
dithculty.-Mew York Sun.