Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-24

THE SIAMEsE TWINS The hcshy link that
connected the Slamcsc twins Was about foot
in length two inches broad, and four thick
and through it run large artery and many
veins, making the circulation identical. Their
breathing, too, was Simultaneous when they
were asleep. They were not so entirely one,
however, but that each had an entirely sepa-
rate existence Their senses were totally dis
corucctcd. One could not feel hurt Inflicted
on the other, the ligaiurc being the only part
in which they were sensitive in common. Much
scientific discussion arose concerning them,
mainly bearing upon the question Of possible
separation. They travelled with Baroum for
five years, and it is believed that they saved
$4,000 each in that time. Chang was larger
than Eng, and looked several years younger.
He was, too, the mental superior of his broth
err, although both were ignorant, and had III
telIigcncc that scarcely rose above low cunning.
Their faces were peculiar, repulllng and ycllo"
in hue, and Chang was the most robust and
good naturcd, EOg was often sick, and always
morosc and pcevish. They had a sleeping room
10 Barnum' museum, as did the other curlosl
ties, and one night rumpus was heard in it.
On breaking open the door the twins were
found fighting. Eng was on the hoor, under
meath Chang, who was choking HIM. Although
Chang aud Eng were rich, they did not live
happily Mrs Chang had the first child, ard
it was deaf mute. The families increased
rapidly, until Chang had six children and Eng
live. or these children four never heard non
spoke, although in all other respects all were
strong and not dcfurlncd. Eight are living, tEe
ol,.est, a daughter of seventeen, having lately
been married to the lessee of Il neghborlng
plantation in North Carolina. About eight
years ago Chang became converted III religious
revival, and Eng also embracing the belief, they
Joined the Baptist Church. They were regular
ID their Attendance thereafter, aud retained
their standing as good Christians. Their tenn
pcrs, however, were not improved by The spirit
ual change, and before the emancipation, their
slaves were the most whipped Of any in the re-
glon. The cause of their muroscucss AS they
grew older is believed to have been the proba
bilisy of the fatal effect Of ones death upon
the other. The idea Of separating them by
surgical operation had been often preached,
but physicians had generally agreed that il
would kill them Therefore each Was haunted
with dread Of being left bound to his dead
brother, with almost a certainty of dying under
any attempt to sever him from the corpse.
While in Paris and London, they consulted the
most eminent surgeons One experiment, how
ever dashed all hope Of separate existence
The Iigalurc was compressed until all circula
ton Of blood between them was stopped Eng
snoD tainted, aud removal of the compress was
necessary to prevent death. This proved that
neither could sustain q separate circulation ot
the blood and to have cut the IIgaturc would
have killed both. With this knowledge, they
returned to their homes and lived as they had
doLc before. Later the health Of Eng grew
worse, and Chang was frequently obliged, al
though we'll himself, to keep to his bed with
his sick hrnthrr