The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-28
Chang And Eng.


The last oft Siamese Twins-Uni-
ted 10 life; in death they were not di-
vided.
A despatch from Richmond. Va,
says despatch from Greenboro, "
e. gives the announcement of the sud
den death Of the Siamese twins on
Saturday morning last. at their resi-
dence at Mount Airy Surry, county
\ c. There are no details further
than Chang was partially psralized
last Fall since which time he has been
frctful, very much debilita,ed and
strongly addicted to drinking liquor
as means of alIeviating his suffer
ings. He had been.quite feebled for
several days, indeed so much SO as
to coniinc both brothers to bed, but
the illness was not so great as 10
cause any anticipation Of the catas-
tropbe that was to follow On Friday
night they retired TO bed at the usual
hour, but during the night Chang be-
came worse, and expired suddenly
about four o'clock Saturday morning.
As soon as it was discovered that he
was dead, Eng became so terribly
shocked that he raved wildly for Il
while, at times exhibiting signs Of
great mental alteration. This attack
was followed BY what seemed to be a
deadly .tupor In :wo hours. it is
supposed from the death Of Chang
Eng breathed his last
Eng and Chang were born Of
Chinese parents in Siam, in the
year 1911. Their bodies were united
by stout ligament reaching from
left breast bone Of one to the right
breast bone Of the other. They were
purchased Of there mother at Meklong
city of Siam, and were brought TO
America by Captain Coffin and Mr..
Hunter in 1929. On examination, the
connecting band seemed 10 have uni
ted them at first face to face, but
constant traction had so changed
its direction that they stood partially
side bv side Its length above was
about two inches. below nearly four;
from above, downwards it measured
three inches, and its greatest thick
ness was one and a half inches. 1t
was covered with skin, and when the
centre was touched both felt it; but
on touching either side ofthe medium
line, only the nearest individual was
sensible Of it, The connection be-
tween the Siamcse twins presented
many interesting points in regard to
physiology and pathology, for
although they formed two perfectly
distinct beings, they appeared most
frequently to think, act, and move as
one individual 1t had been matter
Of much question what would be the
effect Of the death of one of them up
on the other, and the twins some
time ago visited Europe and consult
ed the most eminent surgeons as 10
the adyisability of cutting the liga-
turc tha; united them. The advice
was uufavorabIe and the general Opin-
ion expressed by medical men was
that cutting the cord would be fatal
to both. After realizing compe
tence by the exhibition Of themselves
in the various countries Of Europe
and America, the S:amese twins set
tied in North Carolina, where thev
two sisters and had offsprings.
Owing to domestic quarrels, however,
two houses were found necessary,
each living with his wife alternately
a week at a time Ruined by the war
Of the rebellion, the Siamese twins set
out upon new tour of exhibition,
which enabled them to repair their
shattered fortunes and return to their
North Carolina farm.