Siamese Twins

Siamese Twins, a name given to two children, Eng and Chang, born of Chinese parents in Siam, in 1811, having their bodies united by a band of flesh, stretching from the end of one breast-bone to the same place in the opposite twin. A union of the bodies of twins by various parts is not an unusual occurrence (see MONSTROSITY). The Siamese twins, purchased of their mother at Meklong, were brought to America by Mr Hunter in 1829, and to England afterwards. After realising a competence by the exhibition of themselves in the various countries of Europe, the Siamese twins settled in one of the southern states of America, where they were married to two sisters, and had offspring. Ruined by the civil war in America, the Siamese twins again made the tour of Europe, and exhibited themselves in London again in 1869. They died 17th January 1874, the one surviving the other two hours and a half only, and then dying from the effect of the shock on a heart already weak.