Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by George M Gould and Walter L Pyle

Original Copyright 1896 by W.B. Saunders

CLASS IV.--Union of two distinct fetuses in which one or more parts are eliminated by the junction.

The next class to be considered is that in which the individuals are separate and well formed, except that the point of fusion is a common part, eliminating their individuai components in this location. The Pygopagous twins belong in this section. According to Bateman, twins were born in 1493 at Rome joined back to back, and survived their birth.

The same authority speaks of a female child who was born with "2 bellies, 4 arms, 4 legs, 2 heads, and 2 sets of privates, and was exhibited throughout Italy for gain's sake." The " Biddenden Maids " were born in Biddenden, Kent, in 1100.

Their names were Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, and their parents were fairly well-to do people. They were supposed to have been united at the hips and the shoulders, and lived until 1134. At the death of one it was proposed to separate them, but the remaining sister refused, saying, "As we came together, we will also go together," and, after about six hours of this Mezentian existence, they died. They bequeathed to the church-wardens of the parish and their successors land to the extent of 20 acres, at the present time bringing a rental of about $155.00 annually, with the instructions that the money was to be spent in the distribution of cakes (bearing the impression of their images, to be given away on each Easter Sunday to all strangers in Biddenden) and also 270 quartern loaves, with cheese in proportion, to all the poor in said parish. Ballantyne has accompanied his description of these sisters by illustrations, one of which shows the cake (right). Heaton gives a very good description of these maids; and a writer in " Notes and Queries" of March 27, 1876, gives the following information relative to the bequest:--

"On Easter Monday, at Bidnenden, near Staplehurst, Kent, there is a distribution, according to ancient custom, of 'Biddenden Maids' cakes,' with bread and cheese, the cost of which is defrayed from the proceeds of some 20 acres of land, now yielding £35 per annum, and known as the 'Bread and Cheese Lands.' About the year 1100 there lived Eiiza slid Mary Chulkhurst, who were joined together after the manner of the Siamese twins, and who lived for thirty-four gears, one dying, and then being followed by her sister within six hours. They left by their will the lands above alluded to, and their memory is perpetuated by imprinting on the cakes their effigies 'in their habit as they lived.' The cakes, which are simple flour and water, are four inches long by two inches wide, and are much sought after as curiosities. These, which are given away, are distributed at the discretion of the church-wardens, and are nearly 300 in number. The bread and cheese amounts to 540 quartern loaves and 470 pounds of cheese. The distribution is made on land belonging to the charity, known as the Old Poorhouse. Formerly it used to take place in the Church, immediately after the service in the afternoon, but in consequence of the unseemly disturbance which used to ensue the practice was discontinued.