Appendix. — Account of the Siamese Twin Brothers. 213 



Placing my hand on this substance, which I will denominate the cord, 

 I was surprised to find it extremely hard. On further examination, 

 this hardness was found to exist at the upper part of the cord only ; 

 and to be prolonged into tlie breast of each boy. Tracing it upwards, 

 I found it to be constituted by a prolongation of the ensiform carti- 

 lage of the sternum, or extremity of the breast bone. The breadth 

 of this cartilage is an inch and a half; its thickness may be about 

 the eighth of an inch. The cartilages proceeding from each sternum 

 meet at an angle, and they seem to be connected by ligament so 

 as to form a joint. This joint has a motion upwards and downwards, 

 and also a lateral motion ; the latter operating in such way, that when 

 the boys turn in either direction, the edges of the cartilage are found 

 to open and shut. The lower face of this cartilage is concave j and 

 under it is felt a rounded cord, which may be the remains of the um- 

 bilical cord. Besides this there is nothing remarkable felt in the 

 connecting substance. I could distinguish no pulsating vessel. 



The whole of this cord is covered by the skin. It is remarkably 

 strong, and has no great sensibility ; for they allow themselves to be 

 pulled by a rope fastened to it, without exhibiting uneasiness. On 

 ship board, one of them sometimes climbed on the capstan of the- 

 vessel, the other following as well as he could, without complaining. 



When I first visited the boys, I expected to see them pull on this 

 cord in different directions, as their attention was attracted by differ- 

 ent objects. I soon perceived that this did not happen. The slight- 

 est impulse of one to move in any direction, is immediately followed 

 by the other ; so that they would appear to be influenced by the 

 same wish. This harmony in their movements is not the result of a 

 volition, excited at the same moment. It is a habit, formed by ne- 

 cessity. At an early period of life it is probable they sometimes 

 diiFered. At present this is so rarely the case, that the gentlemen 

 who brought them, have noticed only a single instance. Having been 

 accustomed to use the cold bath, one of them wished it when the 

 weather was cool ; to which the other objected. They were soon 

 reconciled by the interference of tlie commander of the ship. They 

 never hold a consultation as to their movements. In truth, I have 

 rarely seen them speak to each other, although they converse con- 

 standy with a Siamese lad, who is their companion. They always 

 face in one direction ; standing nearly side by side ; and are not able, 

 without inconvenience, to face in the opposite direction ; so that one 

 is always at the right, the other at the left. Although not placed ex- 



