Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-06-03
The Korean Twins.

The appearance in this country Of
tb" Korean twins, as they are termed,
has caused them tobe the subject of
considerable study among scientists
who were familiar with the Siamese
twins, who attracted such attention
when first exhibited In the United
States. Comparisons have also been
drawn between the Koreans and the
female twins upon whom the opera
tion was performed in Paris few
years ago. The latter were also ex-
hibited in the United States, but, as
will be remembered, the health of
one was so affected that it was
deemed necessary to separate the
natural band which held them to-
gether in order to save the life of
the healthier child. The twin Who
was afflicted with consumption died
after the operation, but according to
the latest reports from France, the
girl who lived has entirely recovered,
and apparently is in excellent health.
1t may be added that she has been
adopted by the French surgeon who
officiated at the operation.
Physicians and others who have
examined the Koreans are of the
opinion that they bid fair to live
much longer than the Siamese, as
they are active and vigorous, and
thus far have had no ailment of con-
sequence. Lao -Toun. Chen and Liao-
n-Ne- Chen have typical Oriental
features and might be taken for
Chinese, but they were born in
Korea. They are little over twelve
years old and we'll developed for
their age, having no notable physical
imperfection except the band which
connects them. As in the case of
the girl twins, each has all of the
usual organs, and it is the opinion of
eminent surgeons that they could be
separated if desired with little danger
of fatality. Liao.Toun- Chen is
slightly taller than his brother and
somewhat better developed, being
more muscular. An examination
shows that his heart beats much
more rapidly, while his respiratory
capacity is somewhat greater than
that of the other. 8he smaller twin
is left handed, although from his
position he is obliged to use both
hands to such an extent that he is
practically ambidextrous. He is
more susceptible to changes in tenn
perature, and apparently feels pain
more than his brother, but in appear
ance seems to be equally as healthy.
The Koreans apparently have much
more freedom of motion than the
other types referred to. They can
stand nearly side by side, face each
other squarely. The freedom with
which they can move without iniur-
ing themselves allows them to be
quite active, and their motions are
30 harmonious that they not only
walk, but run, and play various
games without difficulty. One feat
which the Siamese were unable to
do was that of facing each other.
The Koreans can easily assume this
attitude, owing to the elasticity of
the band which unites them. 1t is
of a membraneous character, and
measures about 81 inches in dame
ter. When not stretched or pressed
in any way, it is about 81 inches in
circumference. When the twins are
movingin any way, the band swells
and diminishes slightly apparently
being connected with the principal
trunk muscles of the bodies.
The Koreans, who were brought
to this country by the Barnum &
Bailey Company, have shown quite
remarkable intelligence. When they
first came to the United States with
their father, they remained in Bridge
port, Conn, and were provided with
an instructor, from whom they ac-
quired the rudiments of the English
language. Then they took up a
number of primary studies, and have
advanced quite rapidly.-Scientifc
American.