Chang, Eng and Homosexual's Genitalia

During the discussion following Wu’s presentation on Chang and Eng, I couldn’t help but consider the parallels between the medical examination and dissection of Chang and Eng and the examination and sketching of homosexual genitalia. Consider the similarities, for example, in regards to the reliance on touch, vision, and the variance of the observers involved in locating and defining “deviancy” in each of these instances. The medical physicians involved in the examination of individuals’ genitalia were hoping to identify physical evidence to the nature of one’s sexual relationship. Similarly, during the medical examination and dissection of Chang and Eng, there was significant attention paid to Eng’s genitalia, particularly his retracted testicle, perhaps in hopes that it would reveal the nature of their sexual relationship and non-monogamous contact among the twins and their wives.

During the examination of individuals’ genitalia in search of homosexual characteristics, the physicians had to rely heavily on their own perception and senses during the examination. For instance, during the examination, the measurement of genitalia parts was taken with the use of small ruler and fingers, (141). “Vaginal penetration was measured in terms of the number of fingers the examiner could fit into the subject,”(141). The variability of peoples' finger sizes raises the obvious concern of the validity of the approach of touch and vision.

Likewise, during the examination and dissection there was heavy reliance on touch and vision in order to “locate deviancy.” During the examination, in order to deduce how far the body cavities extended into the connective ligament of Chang and Eng, the feeling of the interior surfaces and observation of the movement a finger was employed.

Furthermore, it may be important to consider what purpose Dickinson’s sketches of genitalia actually served. Did they serve a similar purpose to that of the freak show pamphlets, photos, and trading cards of "freaks?"

Why does scientific medicine rely so heavily on these senses in order to locate and identify "deviancy?"

Angela B.