Report of an autopsy on the bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, commonly known as the Siamese twins — John Shaqi
Report of an autopsy on the bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, commonly known as the Siamese twinsAllen, Harrison
History
Report of an autopsy on the bodies of Chang and Eng Bunker, commonly known as the Siamese twins
Allen, Harrison
Conjoined twins
4. _The testicles._—The right testicle of Eng was normal. The left
testicle was not within the scrotum. Dissection from within the abdomen
showed that the organ had been retracted. It lay well concealed within
the inguinal canal, slight traction making it appear within the abdomen.
The testicles of Chang were normal.
5. _The hearts._—The heart in Eng was situated nearer the median line
than normal. The abdominal incision was very unfavorable for studying
its exact position in the mediastinum. It was removed through an opening
made in the diaphragm. The right side of the heart was occupied by a
soft grumous clot much smaller than was found in the same locality in
Chang, and which did not distend the cavities. The left side was normal.
It was without clot so far as could be determined in the injected
condition of the ventricle.
The heart of Chang presented a right auricle and ventricle distended
with a dense venous clot; this extended from the right ventricle along
the pulmonary arteries. The left side of the heart was empty.
The ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale were firmly closed in both
hearts.
6. _The vessels._—The arteries of both subjects were, so far as
examined, in an extremely atheromatous condition. Large plates of
calcareous matter were deposited in the abdominal aortas. The injecting
matter flowed insufficiently in the left lower extremity of Chang, from
a clot plugging the femoral artery.
The venous system of Chang was engorged, giving the appearance of these
vessels having been injected after death; that of Eng was comparatively
empty.
7. _The lungs._—The lungs were so altered by _post-mortem_ changes prior
to embalming, their contraction by the chloride of zinc, and their
increase of weight from the plaster, that no extended examination was
made of them. But little difference was seen between the conditions of
the lungs in the two men. No hepatization was present in Chang.
8. _The vertebral column and ribs._—There was marked lateral curvature
of the vertebral column in both bodies. This was more conspicuous in
Chang. The convexity of the curve was about half-way down the vertebral
column, and inclined in Chang to the right side. The distance from the
centre of the vertebral column to the left abdominal wall, 2 in.; to the
right abdominal wall, 5 in. The left side of the abdominal cavity,
measuring from about the level of the band to the last rib of the right
side, 7-1/2 inches.
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