The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27
Curious Criticisms on Chang
and Eng.
INCIDENTS IN THEIR LIVES.
Opinion of DR.. Warren, of Bos.
ton, in 1923.
SCIENTIFIC SPECULATIONS


1892 1t bears local interest at this time. from
the lact of the recent death OF the Siamese Twins
and the Investigations into their case on the oc-
casion OF their nrst visit to this country by DR..
Warren, the wen known physician and surgeon Of
Boston, nearly half century ago. The article Is
headed by q woodcut representing the twins as
they then appeared. 1t Win be seen that DR..
Warren at that early day expressed toe opinion
that should one die before the other they should
be cut apart Immediately
The engraving is an accurate sketch OF this ex
traordinary iusuS nature, which promises TO oc-
cupy the attention OF the whole town, and has
already excited no ordinary curiosity among all
ranks OF the scientific and sight LOVING DevIations
from the usual forms of nature are almost unlver-
sally offensive; out IN this case neithel the per-
sonal appearance OF the boys nor the explanation
OF the phenomenon by which they are united is
calculated TO raise q single unpleasant emotion.
The subject IS therefore, not unnt ior OUT pases,
and the following descriptive particulars, whch we
have collected from various authentic sources ana
our own observation. WILL we are persuaded, DC
read with considerable Interest,"
The earliest account OF the SaIhese Twins IS by
DIR. l. c. Warren, OF Boston, and was published III
Professor sllliman's Journal OF october last. They
were received OF their mother by Captain Cotin
and Mr. Hunter, in village OF SIAM, where the
last mentioned gentleman saw them, fishing on
the banks OF the river. Their father had been some
time dead, since which they HVeu Win their
mother IN state OF poverty Ihey were cohnned
within certain limits, by order OF the Slamese gov
ernment and supported themselves principally by
taking nsn. Their exhibition to the world was
their condition, 10 which proposition sue
acceded or liberal compensation and the
time she accom- panied them on board the
ship, and, as 1t was not about TO SAN Tor some
time sne was invited to remain on board put sue
declined, observing that she might as well part
with them then as lew days hence. They were
first exhibited at Boston, and subsequently az
New York In The United States. At Boston Or.
Warren was appointed 10 report on them. anu
such OF his observations as are lree from anaoml-
cal technlcalities and otherwise adapted Tor our
the meantime We shall proceed with more pop
ular account OF their present appearance, winch
has some Of the most interesting characteristics
OF human nature.
They are two distinct and perfect youths, well
formed and straight, about eghreen years OF age,
and possessing all the faculties and powers usually
enjoyed at that period OF he. they are united
together by short band at the pit OF the stomach
ON first seeing them 1t may be supposed, so
closely are their sides togetner-or rather. they
them. On examining them, however, they are
found not to touch eacn other. the band which
connects them being, at its shortest part (Which
Is the upper and back part), about two 'lncues
long AT the lower front part the band, which is
there soft and neshy, or rather like soft thick skin,
is about i've inches long, and would be elastic
were 1t not for a thick, ropeike cartllaginous
or grlstly substance, which forms the
three inches long. Inc band is probably two
inches thick at the upper part and above an Incl
at the lower part. Inc back part OF the band
which is rounded from thicKenlng at the places
where 1t grows from each body. Is not so long al
the front part, which Is comparatively nat The
II grows from the lower and centre part OF tnt
breast OF each boy, being continuation OF the car
panied by musc.es and blood vessels, and en-
veloped, like every other portion OF the body, witt
skD &c. AT present TINS band Is not very de xiDe,
and there is reason to believe that the cartllagn-
GUS substance OF the upper part Is gradually
the nature OF the oand and the manner In which 1t
grows from each boy it Is impossible that they
should De b0 other In RELATION
coming up little to 'front.' each OLher. Their
arms and legs are perfectly Tree to move Inc
band is the only connection between them, and
their proximity does not inconvenience either :;
each OF them, whether standing, sitting or NOV
ing, generally has his arm round the neck or the
waist OF the other. When they take the arm from
this position 20 close are they kept together that
their shoulders cannot be held straight, and tine
near shoulder OF each being opiiged to be held
down or up. to allow them room to stand, gives
them the appearance Oh being deiormed; but two
straighter bodies can scarcely be seen.
In their ordinary motions they may be said to
resemble two persons watZing. In room they
TO any distance they proceed straight forward with
gait Ike otuer people. AS they rise up or SIT
FOWL aown, or soop, tneIf movements mus are playful,
appearance OF constralnt. The average height OF
their countrymen Is less than that OF Europeans,
and they seem rather snort for their age, even
judging them by their own standard. They
much shorter than the ordinary lun of youths in
this country at eighteen years OF age and are Doth
OF the same height. In personal appearance there
Is striking resemblance between them; this,
however, is but on first IMPRESSION Tor on closer
examination considerable difference will be OBJ
served The color Of their skin and form OF the
nose, lips and eyes denote them as belonging to
the Chnese but they have not that broad
and nat lace winch Is characteristic OF the Mon -oi
race. Their foreheads are higher and narrower
than those OF their countrymen generally. Both
are lively and intelligent they pay much attention
to what is passing around them, and are very
grateful for any little attention that is paid TO
them. As proof oil their intelligence 1t may be
stated that they learned 70 play ut draughts very
readily and were soon able to beat those who had
assisted in teaching them. Their appearance Is
perfect health 10 their iriends and attendants,
and to eacn other, they are sad TO be much at
tached. They appear to be excellent physlogno-
mists, Tor they read the counenance OF the visitor
readily, and are easily anronted with any con-
temptuous expressions. 1t Is said they have not
learned any manual art beyond rowing a boat,
out they can run and Jump, and climb
cracks and rigging with great facility. Tney are
dressed III Snort loose green jackets and trousers,
the costume OF their country, " hch Is very con-
venient, and a lows the utmost freedom OF motion,
but does not snow the form OF the boys TO advaD-
taQe. With their arms twlned round each otner,
as they bend down or move ABOUT, they look like a
group OF statuary. Dr. Warren, IN his report.
states that he never heard them speak 10 each
other, though they were very fond OIL talking with
young SameBe who was brought with them as
companion. They, however, appear to have a
means OF communication more rapid than by
words The point most worthy Of remark IN re-
gard to their actions ana movements, IS, that
they seem, generally speaking, to actuated out
by one Will; and that from whichever OF them the
volition OF the moment proceeds 1t seems impera-
tive upon botn. occasionally there Is exception
TO TINS remark-as, on the voyage from siam to
the United States. when one wanted to battle
and the other refused on account OF the cold
ness OF the weather, they quaIrelled on the
subject.
Each has a name OF his own-the one Chang
and the other, Eng; bot when persons wish to ad-
dress them as one-to Claim their attention to
anything, for example, or to cali them--they are
addressed as Chang Eng.
The union of twins is not an unusual occurrence,
and various anatomical collections present many
sucn objects. ambrose Pare relates several in-
Stances. Dr. Warren IS, however, OF opinion that
the siamese boys present the most remarkable
'Sase OF the t,lsus nature which has yet been
AsInomn, saklng into view the perfection and dis
. ol organization and the length OF
slihe they nave hVed. The whole phenomenon
may oe uescrlped IN very few words--twO per-
lecs pouie9 unl.eu anu bound together by insep-
aIaDie INK. AS We have already stated, tnelr
heaith Is al present good; but, observes Dr. War;
rem, III Is pIoDape that the change OF their simple
living for the Injuries they now Obtain. TO.
Retner with the confinement their situation
necessarily involves, Will bring their ltves to a
close within lew years." We hope that snch viii
not be the result OF their leaving Their naive
Shores and we are much pleased with this nassag e