Siamese Twins

The (1811-1874), natives of Siam. Eng, "right," and Chang, "left," were connected in their abdominal regions by a ligature several inches long and about two and one-half inches in diameter. The livers of the twins lay close to the extremities of the ligature, and were so connected with veins running from one to the other that surgeons did not dare to cut the twins apart. The band was long enough so that the twins could face each other or stand side by side. In 1829 Eng and Chang were brought to the United States and exhibited as wonders. They differed in size and habits. Chang was intemperate and irritable. Eng was quiet and sober. Under the name of Eng and Chang Bunker they lived at Mt. Airy, North Carolina, for twenty years. They married sisters and had large families of children, many of whom died young, but none were deformed. Chang died first of a paralytic stroke while Eng was asleep. Surgeons were hoping to free Eng and to keep him alive, but he expired in great terror inside of a few hours.