In 1950, a new mother in Moscow was told that her twin babies had died after birth. However the truth was far different: they were sent to an institute near Moscow to be studied. This was to be the fate of Masha and Dasha, one of the most unusual sets of Siamese or conjoined twins ever born. The twins died 2003. Here is their fascinating story:

Identical twins are formed when a fertilized egg divides into two eggs. The two eggs grow into babies that are identical in every respect. Conjoined or Siamese twinds are formed in the same way as identical twins but the eggs, for some reason,don't completely separate; instead, they remain partially attached. It was the unique way in which the twins were connected that caused soviet scientists to take such an interest in them. Masha ans Dasha had 4 arms, but only 3 legs. they stand on 2 of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were 5 before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remained in the air behind them (it was later amputated). Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have 4 kidneys and 1 bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. The have a common reproductive system.

Because their circulatory systems are interconnected, the twins share each other's blodd. Therefore, a bacterium or virus that enters one twins' bloodstream will soon be seen in the blood of her sister. Yet surprisingly, illness affects them differently. Dasha is short-sighted, prone to colds and right-handed. Masha is healthier, has higher blood pressure, good eyesight and is left-handed. The twins differing health patterns present a mystery. Why did one become ill with a childhood disease, like measls, for example, while the other did not? The measles "bug" was in both of their bodies, in their collective bloodstream; so why didn't both get the measles?

Evidently there is more to "getting the measles" than having the measles "bug". This phenomenon was seenover and over again with the girls (flu,colds, other childhood diseases were all experienced separately). If germs alone had the power to cause infectious diseases, why would one of the twins be disease-free while the other was ill?

Although Masha and Dasha had common circulatory, digestive, excretory, lymphatic, endocrine and skeletal systems (they were joined at the hips), they had seperate spinal columns and spinal cords. This was the only important difference between the two girls! These extraordinary twins are an invaluable example confirming that there is much more to "catching" a disease than simply breathing in germs; germs can make you sick if and only your body provides fertile ground to grow in.

What does this all mean? The state of your nerve system can determine whether you have high or low resistance to disease! If you are suffering from disease, the health of your nervous system will play a role in your recovery. By keeping your spine and nerve system free of subluxations, chiropractic care keeps you functioning at your best!