OUR BENEFACTORS
THE BALLYHOO
CONGRESS OF THE ODD
LAZARUS-JOANNES – Early Parasitic Twins
Ambrose Paré wrote in 1530 of a forty year old man with a headless parasitic body hanging ‘like a pendulum’ from his belly. He also wrote of a German man, ‘born the same year that peace was made with the Swiss and King Francis’ who had a parasitic head protruding from his abdomen. These accounts and the illustrations that accompanied them serve as the earliest confirmed documentation of an epigastric parasite. One can hypothesize that many mythologies – like the gods Vishnu (many arms) and Janus (two headed / many faced) resulted from the observation of human marvels born attached to a parasitic twin.
One of the most well documented cases of early parasitic twining is the case of Lazarus-Joannes Baptista Colloredo (pictured). The 17th century anatomist Bartholinus detailed the history of Lazarus-Joannes Baptista Colloredo quite diligently and personally observed the man for the purpose of documentation. Born in Genoa in 1617, Colloredo exhibited himself all over Europe because from his belly hung a parasitic twin that had one thigh, hands, body, arms, and even a well-formed head covered with hair. Lazarus was the name the complete twin was known by and his underdeveloped sibling was Joannes. It is highly unlikely that these were their giving names as Joannes Baptista translates to ‘John the Baptist’ in English. However, interestingly enough, it was the practice of the day to baptize both twins in a parasite or conjoined twin situation.
There were allegedly some faint signs that Joannes had some independent existence as movements of respiration were evident as were occasional rapid eye fluttering movements. The mouth of Joannes was said to be in a state of near constant salivation and Bartholinus himself wrote that he had seen the arms of Joannes move in response to stimuli. The genitals of Joannes were said to be ‘imperfect’ and it is unclear if any regular eliminations occurred.
Bartholinus first examined Colloredo when the twins were aged at twenty-two however he later amending his report when he was able to examine the twins in Scotland in 1642 just before they were to visit Charles I. Most accounts of the time described Lazarus as courteous and handsome man even with Joannes in tow and that must have been true because Bartholinus reported that Lazarus was married and the father of several children who were fully and admirably developed.
It is believed that Lazarus-Joannes Baptista Colloredo died in the mid 1640’s, however the exact date is unknown.
© 2006 – 2008, J Tithonus Pednaud. All rights reserved.
- E Ora… MAZZATE! » Blog Archive » Lepaca Kliffoth: ovvero, delle cose bizzarre che si possono trovare nella testa della gente
- Morning Cup of Links: Patrick, the Saint - Cine Sopaipleto » Cine Sopaipleto
- Morning Cup of Links: Patrick, the Saint - Sopaipleto » Sopaipleto
- Human Oddities and the Fantastical – a brief interlude » Sommer Leigh
RECOMMENDED READING
American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia
Freak Show: Presenting Human Oddities for Amusement and Profit
Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination
Freaks, Geeks, and Strange Girls
Pickled Punks & Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins
The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top
Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body
James Taylor's Shocked and Amazed: On & Off the Midway
THE AUTHOR
J Tithonus Pednaud has dedicated this site to highlighting the remarkable lives of those born exceedingly different. These so-called freaks and human oddities stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
10 Responses to “LAZARUS-JOANNES – Early Parasitic Twins”
Trackbacks for this post
Leave a Comment
Well, I was one of the first girls in the Roanoke Valley, VA to be proven to have Aspbergers Autism. I was one of the rare cases at my old school, “The Achievement Center” to have both that disorder and ADHD. But, it’s hereditary, I am a fourth generation autistic and descendant of famous English minister, Rev. Robert Bracewelll. Not as special as those people mentioned above.
Tiff, I can tell that you have Asbergers…because nobody gives a shit.
Ness, you are the ass.
Tiff, keep sharing your story so more people begin the understand and accept Asperger’s.
Ha.
Ness and Samantha- Shame on you. Has this site taught you nothing? Internet anonymity is no excuse for complete lack of empathy for your fellow human beings. Making fun of those weaker than you, or different, is about the most base and disgusting form of bullying. It’s not funny. Good for you, Tiff, for sharing your story. I’m glad you identify with the amazing people on this site who took what could have been a set back and made it into an opportunity. I wish the same for you!
Well said RJ.