Domestic infelicity soon compelled them to keep the wives at different houses, and they alternated weeks in visiting each wife.

Chang had six children and Eng five, all healthy and strong.

In 1869 they made another trip to Europe, ostensibly to consult the most celebrated surgeons of Great Britain and France on the advisability of being separated.

It was stated that a feeling of antagonistic hatred after a quarrel prompted them to seek "surgical separation," but the real cause was most likely to replenish their depleted exchequer by renewed exhibition and advertisement.
A most pathetic characteristic of these illustrious brothers was the affection and forbearance they showed for each other until shortly before their death.

They bore each other's trials and petty maladies with the greatest sympathy, and in this manner rendered their lives far more agreeable than a casual observer would suppose possible.