Frontal image of a pair of conjoined twins with dissected abdomen
Date
November 1664
Creator
William Hann, Physician
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p11
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 166mm
width (page): 201mm
width (page): 201mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Mary and Martha Waterman, daughters of John and Mary Waterman of Fisherton Anger, near Salisbury, were born conjoined on 26 October 1664 and died two days later. A report with a schematic figure (EL/B1/82/003) was forwarded by Robert Boyle to Henry Oldenburg, and was read at the meeting on 2 November 1664. Further information was sought and received on 9 November 1664 from the physician William Hann, who delivered a description of his dissection of the twins and further figures.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 2 November 1664, ‘There was read an extract of a letter written to the secretary by Mr. Boyle, giving an account of a monstrous birth, lately born at Fisherton near Salisbury, and promising to communicate what observables might farther happen concerning it’ (Birch 4:480).
Related fellows
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place