Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-01-30
L III Il sen I'll n Il l..
Death of the siamose Twins.

WORTH.
TFrom the Philadelphia Press, January "a
The recent decease of the world-renowned
Chang and Eng, better known as the ''Siamese
Twins. which occurred on Saturday last, has
naturally excited great comment among all
classes but more especially in the scientific
world. AS to the composition of the ligature
or band which united these two personages
various opinions have been expressed both by
the most noted physicians of Europe and
America, by whom it was examined. So con-
flicting have been the theories advanced 10 re-
gard to it, that the medical men long ago
abandoned the question, and all Joined in the
common hope that when the twins died So
luton of the problem would be arrived at by
posl-mortem examination. Knowing this
desire, the brothers very craftily had inserted
in their last wills provision forbidding any
examination of their bodies to be made This
codicil seemed death blow TO the cause of
science, and was greatly TO be regretted. How
ever, being fully aware that should this provi-
sion be carried out to the letter. the doctors of
America would be sneered and jeered by their
brethren all over the world, DR.. VIM. Fl. Pan
coast, Demonstator of Anatomy in the Jeifer-
son Medical College Of this city, determined to
make progressive step towards examining
the bodies of the deceased men, aud according
ly offered his services to go to their late home
stead and hold an autopsy Communication
was held with Dr. Joseph Hoilingsworth, a
physician who resides within short distance
of the plantation of the twins, and who view ed
the remains shortly after death. Dr. Holings-
worth Immediately signifed his intention of
coming 10 this city to hold consultation with
DR.. Pancoast, and according to promise ar
rived here last evening. This Southern ply
stefan Is gentleman of about fifty years of
age, and very intelligent. He was born in the
county N VII
Airy, in which he now resides. He studied
medicine and graduated from the Jefferson
College, IT. this city, ia the year lS47. A fter
obtaining his degree Of NJ. D. he returned
South and has since remained there.
Soon after arriving in Philadelphia, DR..
Hollingsworth proceeded to the office of DR.. P,,-
ncoast at Eleventh and Walnut streets, and
private consultation between these two gen
tlemen was held regarding future movements
to be made in the matter OF examination -
Through the courtesy of Dr.. Pancoast re-
porter was admitted to the council, and the
following sketch of the deceased was offered
The twins were born in the village of Max long
on the coast of Siam, in the year 1871 and
came to the United States about the year 800.
After travelling through this country aud
Europe, they, in 1916, bought a plantation at
q small town named Trap-IIole in Wilkes
county, North Carolina, about forty miles from
where they died Here they married two
sisters named Yates, who were native North
Caroliniaus, and, although unedncated wo-
men, were, nevertheless, possessed of very
good intellects. The wives were both very
strong and healthy women Their mother.
1t is said, was so large that when she died il
was found impossible TO get the body out of the
doorway of the dwelling before portion of
the side of the door-frame was cut away
Some time after taking up their abode in Mount
Airy they purchased second plantation,
about two miles from the first, and erected
dwelling upon it, 10 which Eng removed his
family, Changes family remaining at the old
Homestead. Ii was their custom, and the plan
was never departed from, of spending three
days at each house. Gold weather or warm
rain or shine, nothing whatever was permitted
TO interfere with their idea. Upon one occa-
sion child of the brother at whose house they
were stopping died upon the last day of their
visit to the dwelling, but the following day
being the appointed line for their change Of
base, the two brothers left the scene of death
and stuck to their usual programme. On the
Thursday previous to their death the brothers
were at Chang's residence, and the evening Of
that was the appointed time for n removal to
Eng's dwelling. The day was cold aud Chang
had been complaining for Il couple of months
past OF being very i'll. The road leading from
the two houses was very rough and frozen
Early in the evening they started upon their
journey in open wagon or carryall, and i'll
short time arrived al Engs Chang became
chilled by the exposure and complained OF
being very cold, while his partner was in ap-
parent good health, aud grumhled because he
had to sit by the fire. They retired that night
and in answer to an inquiry from the sick
raan's wife's on Friday, he stated that he was
much better
On Friday evening they retired to small
room by themselves, and went to bed, but
Chang was very restless. Some time between
midnight and daybreak they got up and sat
by the fire. Again Eng protested and said
he wished to lie down, as he was sleepy -
Chang stoutly refused, and replied that it hurt
his breast TO recne After awhile they re-
tired 10 their bed, and Eng fell into deep
sleep. About four O'Clock one of the sons
came into the room, and going TO the bedside
discovered that his uncle was dead. Eng was
awakened by the noise, and in the greatest
alarm turned and looked upon the Iifeless form
beside him, and was seized with violent ner-
yous paroxysins. No physicians were at hand
and, ii being three miles 10 the town Of Mount
Airy, some time necessarily elapsed before one
could he summoned. A messenger was dis
patched to the village for Dr. Hollingsworth,
and he sent his brother, also a physician, al
once to the plantation, but before he arrived
the vital spark had fed, and the Siamese Twins
were dead. The news spread like wldfre,
but the village being forty miles from Green's
boro, the nearest railroad and telegraph
Office, Of course did not reach the public OF
the outside world until Monday. DR.. Hol-
lingsworh made examinaii OF the bod
les, and found the 'gordian knott or band
which connected them 10 I've an extension of
The slernum for about four inches in length
and two in breadth. The band was convex
above and in front and concave underneath.
The Two bodies had but one navel, which was
in the centre Of the band, and il is supposed
that there were two umhiical cords branch
ing from this, one extending into each body
The connecting link WAS found to be the eusi-
form cartilage, aud was as hard as bone, and
did not yield in The least. II may be here
mentioned that for some time previous 10 their
death no motions were observable in the band
The Doctor said he did n OF think they would
have survived separation, not from the fact
OF being afraid Of separating the arteries, but
from fear of producing peri.onits. No hem
orrhage would have been produced, so far as
could he seen, as there were no arterial con-
nections of any account.
There not being any means Of embalming
the bodies, the following method was taken,
after much persuasion by the doctors, and a
final consent by the respective families, OF
keeping them from temporary decay A box
OF in was made, aud the bodies deposited
therein, and the coffin was Theoretically sealed.
This was placed in wooden box. and third
box enveloped the whole. This casket was de-
posted in the basement Of a dwelling in the
vicinity, and covered with powdered char
coal to the depth of about two feet.
The question as 20 whether a post-mortem
examination will he made will at once strike