Report of an Autopsy on the Bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, Commonly Known as the Siamese Twins
9781465673077
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
Chang and Eng Bunker were born near Bangkok, Siam, in 1811, their father being a Chinaman, their mother a native of Siam, bred by a Chinese father. The twins were united by a band extending from the junction of the abdominal and thoracic cavities, anteriorly, constituting the variety in teratology known as Omphalopagus xiphodidymus. They were married in April, 1843, and raised large families; Chang having had ten, and Eng twelve children. Chang had three boys and seven girls; Eng had seven boys and five girls. These were in all respects average children, excepting two, a boy and girl of Chang’s, who were deaf-mutes. The twins resided in a rolling country, about four miles from Mount Airy, Surrey Co., N. C. They were prosperous farmers, each owning his own farm. The dwellings of the two families were a mile and a half apart. The twins resided three days in each of the homes alternately. They were expert in the handling of tools, in plowing, shingling, shooting, etc. They lived much in the open air, and frequently drove in a carriage to the neighboring village. The events leading to their death were as follows: About six years ago Chang, who had always been the more excitable, became addicted to immoderate drinking. Three years ago, while on a voyage from Liverpool to New York, he was stricken with hemiplegia of the right side. He in great measure recovered from this attack, but could never ascend and descend stairs with facility. For this reason the twins occupied rooms on the ground floors of their homes. On Monday evening, Jan. 12th, 1874, Chang was seized, while at his own house, with an attack of bronchitis. He had a cough; scanty, frothy sputa; but no pain. On Wednesday the symptoms had somewhat subsided; the skin was acting freely. Loud bronchial râles were present over the left side of the chest. On Thursday evening the twins insisted upon leaving Chang’s house for Eng’s. The weather was very cold, and the journey was undertaken in an open carriage. On their arrival, however, Chang continued as well as before, until Friday evening, when he complained of thoracic oppression and inability to lie down with comfort. After having retired that evening, the twins were heard to get up, and go out on the porch, by the side of the house, where they drank of water, and returned to their room. They built a large wood fire, and sat down; Eng soon complaining of being sleepy, Chang declaring that he could not breathe if he should lie down. Finally they again retired. They both fell asleep. Near daybreak (Jan. 17th) Eng called to one of his sons, who slept in a room above, to come down and waken Chang. The boy soon made his appearance, and going to the side of Chang, cried out, “Uncle Chang is dead!” Eng at once said “Then I am going!”—It is probable that Chang was sleeping when he died. Eng made no further mention of Chang other than to request that the body be moved closer to him. Soon afterward Eng desired to have his limbs moved. This desire continued for half an hour. He then asked for a urinal, but did not void over a few drops of urine. He several times repeated the endeavor to micturate, but without success. He then complained of a choking sensation, and asked to be raised in bed. He had continued rational. His last words were “May God have mercy on my soul!” He gradually became fainter, fell into a syncopal state, and died quietly a little over two hours from the announcement to him of the death of his brother.
