New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-18
LINKED FOR LIFE.
TWIN BABIES JOINED TOGETHER BY a
LIGAMENT.

ONE OF THE MOST RtMNiNNfI'i''~ i''''' ~ '' '
RECORDED IN THIS CITY-OPINIoNs OF
MEDICAL. MEN AS TO THE POSI-
nrITY OF SEPARATING THEN.
Two children born to the wife of ]. Koehler Of
NJ 342 East Fortv-socond-st on Monday last are
considered by the medical fraternity the most eX-
traordinary children ever born in this city. They
are both girls healthy as babies usually are, ana
are linked for life as far present medical in
vestigation goes The babies are attached to each
other from the lower part Of the spinal column
to the upper part Of the pelvis Ii is believed that
the bones known as the sacrum and coccyX are
identical in both bodies. Another feature Of tn.
case is that the children, though Joined AZ ;he
back are able to face L. the front. ov ing - some
elasticity Of the ligaments and flesh a; the place
Of juncture. They have each the complete quota
of organs and limbs, separate and distinct.
DR. Sgmund Tynberg. of No. 32l East Forty
second-st., who attended the woman in her con-
fnement. told Tribune reporter last night that
the whole family in excellent health' anu
later on the reporter called on the youngsters MI
Koehler. who is a caterer by trade. incontinently
drove the reporter down the three flights OF his
house when he first called early in the afternoon
but when he learned from the reporter that the
youngsters were probably worth $l0'oJO year. ne
let him have a look at the new arrivals.
They are healthy pretty and fat. and as the
writer looked a. them. with that Hgament OF
flesh between them. there came a tnouEhl. Il
perfect certainty that if they live they vii. be
exhibited through this country as curiositles ana
when this fact was told to the father. he sud
denly realized that he had StrucH h'hdH|d'
When the suggestion Of a surgical upcfatl 'H was
made with a view Of separating the chlIireA .i''
father became anxious. and remark 81: 40,
no. dey are wort too much shust as d.E ar /
will have no medical operations mao.
The father Is thiry-hVe years old. the I'"t''f
thirty and both are Of good stock. NJ. No-H r
has not vet enlightened the partner &" ms '"lh
SORROWS as to the formation Of the chhdrcH, a. III
is feared the shock might inlufe her me my
other child a little girl about year ana q '."-i
old. is healthy and normal
1t was said last night that there WoIid DE an
examination Of the children hy thr leading In DO
ical men OF this city. Dr Jane"a$ Knew
nothing about the case. Or. Lusk. ~ - b
East Thirty -fourth-st.. was ~ the opinion ihlt
IL would be impossible to separate the children,
but would not like to say anything definitely
until he had seen them. Or Polk. ~ No. East
Thirtv-siXth-st. said that medical science had
gone So far that unless the bone tissues in the
TWO children were absolutely Joined b" saw no
reason why the youngsters could not be- sepa-
rated.
Youngsters yet but from what YOU tell me ]
should say they cannot be separated. ~ o. q
meeting Of our leading medical men ON the qu"--
;ion of separating the TWO children. Know
nothing for | have heard nothing of me abb
normal birth. | think your telling tne ia;n-r
that tho coupled twins Will DO worth $1,000
wear to him will put a stop - WAai might hrNt
heen q most interesting surgical oper1u m.
Bv last accounts the twin babes HAl t"e.F
mother are doing well.