The Washington times., 1936-11-26
Twin SURVIVOR
MUST. LEARN
HOW TO WALK

NEW YORK, Nov. 26-GN.SO.
Though still suffering from the
shock Of the two operations which
made him an independent being
for the first time in his 28 years
after the death of his Siamese
twin brother, Simplicio Godino
was reported in a favorable con-
dition today.
Doctors who are keeping him
under constant observation said
there we're excellent prospects he
would survive his unique expe-
rience. Some concern was ex-
pressed, however, over the dis
covery that the dead twin, Lucio,
was suffering from a Streptococ-
Gus infection in addition to the
rheumatic fever which was the
direct cause of his death.
Simplico remained in good
health throughout his brothers
illness, and there were no indi-
cations that the infection had
passed into his blood, although
physicians said that some days
might pass before this could be
definitely determined.
Must Learn Walking
Meanwhile, Simplico rested
quietly, not yet accustomed to the
fact that as a separate human
being he can move his body at
will.
When he is able to get out Of
bed, Simplicio will have to learn
an entirely new set Of muscular
movements, and will have to be
taught to walk and balance him.
self alone.
It was learned today that the op-
GRAFTON which severed Lucio's
dead body from his living brother
was performed by DR.. H. M. Wer-
theim, distinguished New York
surgeon, who was hastily sum-
moned after Lucio'S death. Three
other surgeons assisted.
Last night Simplica told how he
felt when he discovered his brother
was dead.
Felt ''DrOwsy"
Suffering mainly from psychic
shock" at finding himself lone
individual, he whispered to his
wife, who was allowed to see him
for a few minutes:
II was browsing, and sud-
denly / felt a queer sensation.
can't describe it-SOmething
came over me and 1t was the
strangest feeling I ever had.
81 leaned over to speak to
Lucio about it and touched his
body in leaning. 1t was cold.
He was dead.'
The surviving twin was rational,
appeared to be without pain, but
was suffering from grief and
shock over the death OF his
brother.
Doctors explained the twins
were joined by band Of muScu-
lous-fibro tissue at the base Of the
spine.
Operation Explained
A bulletin announcing the opera
ton, which was issued by the
Academy of Medicine, said:
'LuciO GodinO, one Of the
sO-CalIed Siamese twins, died
Tuesday evening at 1880
O'Clock in York Hospital after
an illness Of Is days.
'LuciO was suffering from
rheumatic fever which affected
his lungs and heart. Immedi-
ately after his death the second
Of the twins, SimplicfO, was, by
operation, severed from the
body Of his deceased brother.
"SimpIiciO's condition is re-
ported as good. He did not share
during the illness of his brother
in the pathological processes.
"The twins were Organically
separate except for the fact
that there was a union between
their large inteStineS."
Intestines Reconstructed
After the operation it was neceS.
Sary to plaStically reconstruct the
OuC1eC OF O1mpllC4O COAOA. Auc
twins were held together at a
three-quarter angle to each other.
In walking, one stepped forward
and the other followed by step
ping backward"
A remarkable feature Of the op-
erationS was that no anaeSthetic
was used. Their use was deemed
risky. It was explained in the first
operation most of the cutting was
done on the dead Lucio.
Wives of both Siamese twins
were hysterical with grief. Sim
plicio's wife haunted the hospitals
for bulletins as to her husbands
progress, after pacing the corri-
dors for three hours while doctors
separated the living twin from the
dead one.
Simplicio whispered to his wife
yesterday:
keep your chin up. Be sat
iSfied. / am"