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Vladimir Demikhov: The Soviet Surgeon and His Bizarre Two-Headed Dogs

The Soviet Union was well known for its propaganda and the widespread claims of success (often exaggerated) the country was experiencing. The Iron Curtain had been drawn, separating the Eastern bloc Soviet countries from the rest of the world, and much of what Russia was doing and creating was a mystery to many other countries, including the US.

One piece of propaganda boasted of the fantastic advancements the Soviet Union was experiencing regarding science and medicine. The propaganda included a TIME magazine article, pictures, and videos of one surgeon and his two-headed subject.

At first, the footage and photos looked like the worst version of early attempts at photoshopping, but this was not the case. Vladimir Demikhov had created a two-headed dog that had not only survived the horrific process but could respond to stimuli, drank water, and move about the lab.

Vladimir Demikhov did create more than one two-headed dog that lived for up to several weeks. The two-headed dog experiments overshadowed Demikhov’s incredibly successful surgical career, resulting in his death in obscurity in the late 1990s. Who was Vladimir Demikhov, and what was up with the crazy two-headed dogs ?

Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov

Vladimir Demikhov was born on July 31, 1916, to a poor family of peasants in what is now known as the Novonikolayevsky district in Volgograd, Russia . His father was killed in the Russian Civil War, so his mother raised Vladimir, his brother, and his sister on her own.

She wanted her children to be well educated and ensured all three Demikhov children could attend good schools and colleges. As a teenager, Vladimir Demikhov became interested in the circulatory systems of mammals.

He wasn’t a psychopath; he found Ivan Pavlov’s theory of classical conditioning experience in dogs endlessly fascinating. His experiments may seem brutal but they were in pursuit of scientific understanding, not cruelty. Not that this offered any comfort to the dogs.

Vladimir Demikhov attended college at Voronezh State University in 1934, then transferred to Moscow State University, where he remained until graduating in 1940. While at Moscow State, Vladimir Demikhov experienced the first of many medical successes which changed the field of transplantology (a word Demikhov coined).

The first of Vladimir Demikhov’s creations was the world’s first artificial heart, and he performed the first artificial heart implantation into a dog. The dog lived two hours after the procedure, proving the viability of his approach.

From a scientific standpoint, the experiment was seen as a success. After taking a break from his experimentations to serve in World War II, Demikhov returned to Moscow State University and dove head-first (no pun intended) into his experimental research. 

A Scientist Above All

Most of Vladimir Demikhov’s contributions to science were not recognized when he was alive due to the controversial two-headed dog experiment, which destroyed his reputation. Vladimir Demikhov was however a pioneer, responsible for many of the first surgical procedures we find today.

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In 1946 he performed the first intrathoracic heterotopic heart transplant, which means he successfully performed a transplant of a heart into the chest cavity, which was unheard of at the time. 1946 was a big year for Vladimir Demikhov, and he also performed the first heart-lung transplant in a mammal.

These groundbreaking medical procedures continued, and Vladimir Demikhov was also responsible for the first liver transplant, and the first orthotopic heart transplant. The orthotopic transplant meant that a living heart was transplanted into another mammal in the correct position where the heart belonged. Before that surgery, all heart transplants were positioned in the neck of the receiver to connect the new organ with the veins of the neck. 

In 1952 Vladimir Demikhov performed the first mammary-coronary anastomosis, which involves creating a surgical connection between two body structures to carry fluid. An example of anastomosis we see today happens after a section of a person’s colon is removed due to cancer and is reconnected to restore the bowels’ regular movements. 

One year later, Vladimir Demikhov performed the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery. Between 1963 and 1965, he created the world’s first collection of living human organs available for surgical use or, simply put, the world’s first organ bank. 

Vladimir Demikhhov’s experiments were so significant because he would work with “live organs.” These organs would be kept alive with a hand pump, like how lung transplants are kept on a machine to keep them inflating and deflating before it enters the recipient’s body in today’s medicine.

Previously, people attempted to perform transplants or reconnect an organ placed into a hypothermic state to preserve it when outside the donor’s body. The live organs Vladimir Demikhov used were more successful in their ability to resume regular function in a new host body.

The animal used as the experiment subject could live for hours or days after the surgery. Then he performed the first head transplant in 1954. 

The Two-Headed Dog Experiments

Let’s address the dog thing right away. Vladimir Demikhov did not hate dogs or hunt them for his mad scientist experiments. Back then, and even today, Moscow has upwards of 50,000 stray dogs roaming the streets.

The dogs have learned how to board the Metro trains to travel from one location to another, and nobody minds the four-legged strangers. Neutering and spaying dogs wasn’t a common practice, and the stray dog population exploded in the city at an alarmingly fast rate.

As upsetting as it is, dogs were used extensively as scientific and medical subjects because so many were present and accessible. Many western countries continue to rely on animal testing to this day, although none apparently go down the “what if more heads?” route.

The two-headed dog experiment was not some sick attempt to create a breedable two-headed dog, nor was it created to make a monster or cause animal suffering. The two-headed dog experiments aimed to see if two living creatures could be connected to each other and survive using only one of the dog’s circulatory systems.

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This was a pioneering thought process, the precursor to such procedures today as human ears grown on the backs of mice, using their circulatory system until they are ready to be transplanted to their subject. Whether such approaches could even work was unknown to Demikhov, and it would seem that his scientific curiosity got the better of him.

The issue with these head transplant experiments was that these experiments had no real-life applications like all his previous transplant experiments on dogs. People needed organ transplants to sustain or prolong their lives. Nobody needed a head transplant, let alone a two-headed dog. Add to that the questionable ethical and moral issues, and this research was problematic at best. 

Vladimir Demikhov was not the first surgeon to attempt to create a two-headed dog. In 1908 French surgeon Dr. Alexis Carrel and his partner, Dr. Charles Guthrie, an American physiologist, performed the same experiment that Vladimir Demikhov would attempt forty years later.

The two men managed to create a two-headed dog that seemed like a successful operation, but the animals degraded rapidly and were euthanized after several hours of declining health. Vladimir Demikhov’s two-headed dog in the now infamous video was not the first one he attempted to create, rather the 23rd, 24th, or 25th time the experiment took place (records vary greatly concerning how many times the experiment was repeated, but the consensus was over 22 times). 

For the experiment recorded by the media, Vladimir Demikhov chose a smaller dog named Shavka and a large stray German Shepherd named Brodyaga (the Russian word for ‘tramp’). Brodyaga was to be the host dog, and Shavka was to be the secondary head and neck.

Shavka’s lower body was amputated but retained her own lungs and heart that remained connected until seconds before the transplant. Shavka’s head and two front legs were then attached with an incision on Brodyaga’s neck, and vascular reconstruction was performed to allow the heads to share a circulatory system.

The last step was securing the dogs at the vertebrae using plastic string. The procedure took three and a half hours from start to finish, and both heads could hear, see, smell, and swallow. Shavka was not attached to Brodyaga’s stomach in any way, so whatever she drank would pour out of her via an external tube. Shavka and Brodyaga survived four days and the cause of death was determined to be a vein in their shared neck which was damaged during the procedure. 

The longest living of Vladimir Demikhov’s two-headed dogs survived 38 (though some reports list 28 or 29 days) days in 1968. After it died, the bodies were taxidermied and gifted to The Museum of History of Medicine in Riga.

The dog was previously on tour in Germany from 2011-2013 but has returned to Riga, where you can see it on display today. Once the news of Vladimir Demikhov’s two-headed dog procedures spread globally, many doctors came to the Soviet Union to learn about the surgical techniques Vladimir Demikhov and other Soviet surgeons had developed.

American doctors came to learn from Demikhov, and by 1962, the general consensus of the U.S medical community was that the two-headed dogs were not nonsense but something that showed the promise of the success of live organ transplantation. Vladimir Demikhov died at 82 from an aneurysm on November 22, 1998, in obscurity on the outskirts of Moscow. 

Top Image: The last two headed dog transplant performed by Vladimir Demikhov in 1959 in east Germany. Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-61478-0004 / CC BY-SA 3.0 de .

By Lauren Dillon 

Stolf, N. 2017. History of Heart Transplantation: a Hard and Glorious Journey . The Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 32, 5. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5701108/

Matskeplishivili, S. 2017. Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov (1916-1998): A pioneer of transplantation ahead of his time, who lived out the end of his life as an unknown in poor circumstances . European Society of Cardiology. European Heart Journal 38, 46. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/46/3406/4706202

Konstantinov, I. 2009. At the Cutting Edge of the Impossible: A Tribute to Vladimir P. Demikhov . National Library of Medicine. Texas Heart Institute Journal 36,5. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763473/

Lauren Dillon

Lauren Dillon is a freelance writer with experience working in museums, historical societies, and archives. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Russian & Eastern European Studies in 2017 from Florida State University. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Museum Studies in 2019 from the University of San Francisco. She loves history, true crime, mythology, and anything strange and unusual. Her academic background has inspired her to share the parts of history not in most textbooks. She enjoys playing the clarinet, taking ballet classes, textile art, and listening to an unhealthy amount of true crime podcasts. Read More

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A dog with two heads: How a Soviet doctor pioneered organ transplantation against the odds

"The son of a peasant, Demikhov initially trained as a mechanic and repairman before enrolling in the biology department at Moscow State University. Here he thrived."

On April 11, 1959 the Associated Press circulated a message from Moscow: Russian doctors had transplanted a puppy’s head to the neck of a German shepherd and the two-headed beast was in good health. However, the American public - surprised by the sensational news - had not yet seen the shocking images. Only later would the photos of the experiment become public.

The pictures (which are, fair to say, objectively repulsive) document the ground-breaking experiment of a Soviet scientist leading the way in organ transplantation. By the time the news of the operation hit America in 1959, the surgeon - Vladimir Demikhov, 43 at the time - had already been performing transplants on dogs for five years.

None of the previously operated dogs has lived for more than six days. Pirat (the Russian word for Pirate) - the German shepherd operated on April 11 - proved an exception, however. The two-headed dog lived for three weeks while reacting to stimuli around it!

"By the time the news of the operation hit America in 1959, the surgeon - Vladimir Demikhov, 43 at the time - had already been performing transplants on dogs for five years."

A heart for two hours

The son of a peasant, Demikhov initially trained as a mechanic and repairman before enrolling in the biology department at Moscow State University. Here he thrived.

Demikhov performed his first ground-breaking experiment less than two years into his studies. In 1937, he sent shockwaves through Russia’s medical community when he created an artificial heart and successfully implanted it into a dog. The dog lived for two hours after surgery, pushing the borders of organ transplantation, a science scarcely studied in 1937 but vital for today’s medical world.

Demikhov’s later and bolder experiments attracted attention from across the Atlantic, as well as from Europe. Scientists in the West mostly believed organ transplantation was not possible because the patient’s immune system would reject the new addition.

Likely, this general skepticism was the main reason why the work of an American professor at Washington University - Dr. Charles C. Guthrie - who performed an experiment similar to Demikhov’s in 1908, was not followed up by his American colleagues.

Everything changed though when news about Demikhov’s success reached the U.S. In the 1960s, American doctors traveled to the Soviet Union to learn about innovative techniques used by Soviet surgeons. One of the key innovations, later adopted by the U.S., Canada, and Japan, was the use of staples to compress veins and arteries during operations, which dramatically reduced surgery time.

By 1962, a consensus of the American medical community had shifted and U.S. doctors, who saw Demikhov at work, gradually warmed to the possibility of successfully transplanting human organs.

Concise obituary

In 1965 Demikhov attended a medical conference where he proposed the creation of a bank where human organs could be stored for the needs of surgeons. The futuristic proposal, unthinkable at the time, sparked much anger among Soviet academics who criticized Demikhov and demanded the closure of his laboratory.

This took a toll on his health, his wife later recalled, and despite the fact Demikhov remained a director at the Russian Health Ministry Republican Center for Human Reproduction, his research efforts in organ transplantation declined, and his international fame wilted.

The pioneering scientist died in a small apartment on the outskirts of Moscow in 1998 at the age of 82. The true value of his experiments, which were observed with suspicion by the Soviet medical elites, were acknowledged by the Russian state at the end of his life. Demikhov was awarded the Order for Services for the Fatherland in 1998, the year of his death. However, the countless lives subsequently saved by organ transplants are his real legacy.  

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Norman ⁤Chapman, ‍a name that ⁤may​ not ring⁤ a bell‍ to many, but to those who⁢ are well-versed in the world of percussion, he is a ⁣legend. As ⁤an unsung hero of the ​drumming community, Chapman’s contributions to‍ the ‍art form are undeniable. From his early ⁢days in the music scene to his rise‌ to prominence ‌as a sought-after session player, Chapman’s story is one ⁣that deserves to be told. In this article, we will⁢ delve into the⁢ life and​ legacy ⁢of Norman Chapman, exploring⁢ his impact ⁢on ‍the world of ⁢drumming and the lasting impression he has ⁢left ‌on the music industry.

Table of Contents

• Unveiling the Legacy ⁢of Norman Chapman
• Exploring‍ the Impact of Chapman’s Work on Modern Art
• Norman Chapman: A​ Pioneer in Abstract​ Expressionism
• Recommendations for ⁤Appreciating Chapman’s Artistry Today
• To ⁤Wrap ⁢It Up

Unveiling ⁢the Legacy of Norman ⁣Chapman

When one thinks ⁢of influential figures in the ⁣world of art⁢ and⁢ design, Norman Chapman may not ‌be the first name ⁤that comes ⁣to ⁤mind. However, ‍his contributions to the field have left a lasting impact that is ⁣still felt today. Known for his innovative and forward-thinking⁢ approach,⁤ Chapman’s work pushed the boundaries of traditional design​ and paved the way for future generations‍ of artists.

• Chapman’s ⁤early ‌work in the 1950s was marked by his unique use of color⁢ and form. He was⁢ not afraid ‍to experiment⁢ with different ​mediums and techniques, resulting​ in‌ a body of work ‍that ‍was both⁣ diverse​ and⁣ cohesive.
• His later work in the 1970s‌ and 1980s saw a shift towards ‍more minimalist designs,⁣ with a focus on ⁢functionality and simplicity. Despite this change in style, Chapman’s work remained distinctly⁣ his own, with a strong‌ emphasis on craftsmanship ​and attention ⁢to detail.

In addition to his contributions ⁣to the world of art and design, Chapman was also a respected educator. ‍He taught ​at several prestigious ⁣institutions, ‌including the Rhode Island⁢ School of Design and​ the Art​ Institute ⁤of Chicago . His teachings have influenced countless artists and designers, ⁢many of whom have gone on to achieve ⁢great success ‍in their own right.

Chapman’s legacy ​continues to inspire and influence ⁢the art⁤ and design world. His work is a reminder that creativity knows no⁤ bounds, and that true innovation ⁣comes from⁤ breaking away from the‌ expected and ⁤embracing the ⁤unknown.

Exploring the ‍Impact of‌ Chapman’s Work on Modern Art

Norman Chapman’s work is often seen ​as a‌ bridge between ‍the⁣ traditional and the contemporary, blending classical techniques with modern⁣ themes. His influence on the art world can ⁢be seen‍ in⁢ numerous ways,‌ from the way he​ approached⁤ color and ‌form, to⁣ his ⁤innovative use of materials. ⁤Chapman’s⁣ work ​challenged ‍the norms of his‍ time, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable ⁣in⁣ the art ⁢world.

One⁢ of⁢ the most significant impacts of Chapman’s work is his exploration‌ of ‌the human form.⁣ He was known⁢ for his bold and ‌expressive ⁤use ‌of line,⁣ creating ‍dynamic ⁤and⁤ powerful figures⁤ that resonated with‌ viewers.⁢ Chapman’s work also often included elements of abstraction, blending ​realism with more conceptual ideas. ‌This approach ‍has ⁢inspired many⁤ contemporary artists, who have taken Chapman’s ideas and expanded​ on them in ⁤their own work.

• Use of vibrant and bold colors
• Innovative‌ approach to⁤ mixed media
• Exploration‌ of⁤ social and⁢ political ⁣themes

Chapman’s legacy can also be seen ⁢in‌ the way he approached the role of the artist in society. He ⁣was⁢ known ​for his activism and used his ⁢art as a platform to⁣ address social and political ‌issues. This ⁤has encouraged ‍many​ modern artists ‌to use‍ their work as a ‍means of⁤ sparking conversation and effecting change. Chapman’s work continues to ⁢be an⁤ important influence in the‌ art world,​ inspiring ‌artists to push the‌ limits of‌ what is ⁢possible.

Norman​ Chapman: A Pioneer in ‌Abstract Expressionism

Norman Chapman was a trailblazer ​in‌ the world ⁢of ⁤abstract ‍expressionism. His⁢ bold use of color, texture,⁣ and form set ⁣him⁢ apart from ⁢his contemporaries and​ established him as a ‌leader in ‌the‌ movement. ‌His ⁣innovative techniques and⁢ fearless ⁤experimentation with new materials pushed the boundaries of what was considered “acceptable” in‌ the art world.

Chapman’s early ⁢work‍ was heavily influenced⁢ by ‍the likes of ​Jackson Pollock and Willem de ​Kooning, but he quickly⁢ developed his own unique style. His large-scale canvases⁣ were filled with ⁣dynamic, gestural brushstrokes and ‍a vibrant palette ‍that captured ⁣the energy ​and⁤ emotion of⁤ the post-war era.

• Inspired by⁢ jazz music, Chapman⁣ often painted to the sounds of‍ bebop and hard bop, infusing his work with a sense of rhythm and movement.
• He was also known for ‍his⁣ use ‍of non-traditional ⁣materials, such ⁤as sand ⁤and broken⁤ glass, which added texture and ⁤depth to⁣ his pieces.
• Despite ⁣facing criticism from more traditional art critics, Chapman remained steadfast in⁢ his vision and⁣ continued to push the ‌limits of abstract⁣ expressionism.

Chapman’s impact​ on​ the art world cannot be understated. ⁤His influence can be ⁤seen in the work of countless artists who followed in his footsteps, and his paintings continue to ‍be celebrated ‍in galleries and museums ‍around the world.

Through his work, Norman Chapman⁤ challenged ‌viewers to‌ see beyond the traditional boundaries ‍of art‍ and to find beauty in ‌the chaos and complexity of the abstract world.

Recommendations for⁤ Appreciating ‌Chapman’s⁣ Artistry‌ Today

Norman Chapman’s artistry is a treasure that deserves to be appreciated by⁣ art ⁣enthusiasts and casual observers ⁤alike. To fully experience ​the depth and beauty of his⁣ work, there are several recommendations⁢ that can ‌enhance your ‌appreciation.​

Firstly, take ​the time ⁤to study⁢ the details of his pieces.​ Chapman’s ​attention to⁤ detail is exquisite, ⁢and‍ the more you look, ​the more you’ll find. Notice the intricate ⁤brushstrokes, the subtle​ use of‌ color, and the‌ way⁣ he captures ⁤light and shadow.

Another way⁢ to appreciate Chapman’s artistry is ‌to understand the context in which⁢ it ⁤was created. Research the historical and cultural influences that⁢ shaped his ‌work,‍ and⁢ consider how these‍ factors are ⁣reflected in his‍ art. This will give you a deeper appreciation for the ‌significance ⁢of​ his pieces.

Here are some additional recommendations for appreciating Chapman’s ⁤artistry:

– Visit galleries‍ and museums that showcase his work to ⁢see⁢ it in person – Attend lectures or discussions about his⁢ art to gain insights‌ from experts – Participate in art workshops that ⁣focus on his techniques and style

By following these recommendations, ‍you ⁣can ‍fully immerse yourself in the⁣ world of Norman Chapman and ‌gain‍ a greater appreciation⁣ for his remarkable artistry.

Q: Who​ is Norman Chapman? A: Norman Chapman is⁢ a‌ renowned⁣ author ​and lecturer known for his expertise​ in economics and‌ public policy.

Q:‍ What is Norman Chapman’s⁤ background in economics? A: Chapman holds a PhD ‍in ‍economics⁣ from Harvard University and ‍has published numerous scholarly articles and ⁣books on economic ‍theory and ​public policy.

Q:⁢ What ​are some of Norman ⁣Chapman’s most notable works ? A: Chapman’s book “Economics in the Modern World” is ⁣widely⁤ regarded as⁢ a seminal work in the ⁢field of economics. ​He ⁣has also‌ authored several‌ influential papers on⁣ topics such as income inequality and economic development.

Q: What are some of⁣ the key themes that Norman Chapman explores in his writing? A:⁢ Chapman’s work⁤ often delves into the intersection⁢ of⁣ economics and social welfare, ​examining the impact of ‍economic‍ policies on issues such as‌ poverty, education, and healthcare.

Q: In⁢ addition ⁢to his writing,‌ what other ⁣activities is Norman Chapman involved in? A:​ In addition to his writing and research, Chapman is also a sought-after speaker and‍ lecturer, and has served as a consultant for various government agencies and non-profit organizations.

Q: What is Norman ⁤Chapman’s⁢ approach to teaching and ‌education? A: Chapman is ​known for his engaging ‍and accessible teaching ​style,‍ and is committed to ‌making complex ⁤economic concepts understandable ‍and ‍relevant to ‍a wide audience.

Q:⁤ What is the significance‍ of​ Norman⁤ Chapman’s work in‌ the field of ⁢economics? A: Chapman’s work has had a significant impact⁢ on the ⁤study⁤ and‍ practice of economics, shaping the way we‌ understand and address critical social and economic issues. ​

To‍ Wrap It Up

In conclusion, Norman Chapman’s impact on the field ‍of economics and his dedication to ‌education and research ⁢are undeniable. ⁣His​ innovative⁣ ideas and passion for ⁤the subject have left a⁤ lasting‍ impression ⁣on the‍ academic‍ community.‌ As he continues to inspire ‌and influence ‌future​ generations of economists, it is clear that Norman ‍Chapman’s contributions will be felt for years ‌to‌ come.

The Shocking Two-Headed Dog Experiment: A Tragic Tale

In ‌the mid-20th ‌century, a ⁣controversial and‍ ethically questionable experiment ‍took place that shocked the world. It involved a two-headed dog, ⁣created by Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov. The story of this creature is both fascinating and deeply disturbing, raising questions about ⁢the limits of scientific ethics ‍and the‌ struggle between progress ‌and‍ humanity. The experiment ⁢and its aftermath‍ serve as a haunting reminder of⁢ the moral responsibilities⁤ that come ⁣with scientific discovery.

• The ⁢Frankenstein ​of ⁤Science: The ⁤Two Headed ⁤Dog Experiment

Uncovering the Ethical Implications of Creating a Two Headed Creature

• The Horrifying Reality ‌of the Two⁤ Headed Dog ⁣Experiment⁣
• Why the Creation ⁢of a⁢ Two Headed‍ Animal Is a Moral Travesty

The Way Forward

The frankenstein of science: the ⁤two ⁤headed‍ dog experiment.

The two -headed ‌dog experiment is one of ‌the most controversial ‍and ethically questionable studies in the history‍ of science.⁣ Conducted⁣ in ⁣the mid-20th⁢ century, the experiment involved surgically creating⁢ a two-headed ⁤dog‍ and observing ‌its physiological and behavioral responses. The goal⁤ was to understand‌ the​ possibilities ​of organ transplant and the ‌potential ⁣of controlling the⁤ nervous system.

The⁣ experiment,​ however, raised​ serious ethical⁣ concerns and​ sparked ⁢widespread outrage. Despite⁤ the ‌scientific⁢ curiosity behind the study, the inhumane treatment of the animals involved‍ was deeply troubling. The image of a living,⁤ breathing creature with ​two heads, created ⁢through surgical intervention, is‌ a haunting representation of the​ extremes to⁣ which science ⁢can go in the ⁢pursuit ​of knowledge.

It serves as ⁣a reminder of the ethical ⁣responsibilities that scientists and‍ researchers ⁣bear, and⁤ the ‌consequences of‍ crossing ethical boundaries⁤ in the ‌name​ of scientific ‌progress. The two-headed⁢ dog experiment stands as a ⁤cautionary tale,⁣ highlighting the ethical implications of scientific exploration and the importance ​of upholding ​moral ⁤standards⁢ in the‌ pursuit of knowledge.

Creating a ‌two-headed​ creature, such as in the ⁣case of the two-headed dog experiment, ⁣raises ​grave ethical⁣ concerns ​that cannot be ‌ignored. The⁣ act‌ of deliberately manipulating an animal’s​ genetic‍ makeup⁢ and ⁣creating a creature with two heads is a⁤ controversial and morally⁤ dubious practice. It brings ⁣into ⁤question the boundaries ‌of scientific‌ experimentation and the treatment of living beings as mere ​subjects for scientific curiosity. ‌The‍ ethical implications ⁢of ⁤such experimentation are profound and cannot be overstated.

Uncovering the ethical implications of creating⁢ a two-headed ‌creature necessitates a critical examination ⁣of the following ​concerns:

• The welfare of⁢ the creature: Creating a ‌two-headed ⁢creature ‌raises significant ‍concerns⁤ about its quality ⁢of ‌life ⁤and​ overall well-being. How will such a creature fare in its environment, and what are the potential ⁤challenges it​ may face?
• The moral responsibility of‍ the ⁣creators:​ Scientists and researchers‌ involved in such experiments‍ must consider their moral responsibility towards the creatures ⁤they ⁣manipulate. ⁣What ‍ethical ‌guidelines should be in ⁢place⁢ to regulate ⁢such experimentation?

It is essential for society to engage in thoughtful‍ and respectful dialogue⁣ about the ethical⁣ implications ‌of creating ⁢a ⁣two-headed creature, such as ⁤in the case of the two-headed dog experiment.⁢ Only by carefully considering the ‍moral ​and ethical dimensions‌ of such practices can we navigate the ​complex intersection of ​science, morality,​ and respect ‌for living beings.

The Horrifying Reality of the Two​ Headed Dog Experiment

The two headed dog experiment, also known as the head transplantation experiment,⁤ has been the subject ⁣of‌ much‌ controversy‌ and ⁣ethical ‌debate. This horrifying experiment involved⁢ the ​surgical attachment of a second head⁤ to‌ a ​living dog, creating⁣ a two-headed‌ creature that⁢ was ⁤intended to demonstrate the possibility of transplanting ‍human⁣ heads onto donor ⁢bodies.‌ The ⁢experiment was ​conducted in the‌ 1950s ‍by⁣ Soviet ‌scientist⁤ Vladimir Demikhov, and ‍it has since become a haunting example of​ the extreme lengths to‍ which some researchers ⁤are⁢ willing to ⁤go in the name of scientific advancement.

The resulting ‌images and accounts of the two-headed dogs created by Demikhov⁣ are⁢ nothing short of chilling. The ⁤dogs were operated ⁢on⁤ without the ​use of anesthesia, and ​many of them‌ reportedly lived for several⁣ days before succumbing ​to the ‍trauma of⁣ the procedure. The ‌experiment highlights the dark side of scientific inquiry and serves as a grim reminder‍ of‍ the ethical boundaries​ that must be carefully‍ considered ⁢and respected in the pursuit of knowledge. The two headed dog experiment stands as ⁣a haunting symbol of⁣ the potential consequences of​ unchecked scientific ‍ambition ⁤and the ​need ‌for ethical oversight in the field⁣ of research.

Why the Creation of a ‍Two ​Headed Animal Is a Moral Travesty

The creation ⁤of ‍a ⁣two-headed⁣ animal through experimental procedures‌ has sparked ‌widespread moral and ‍ethical concerns. The recent controversial⁤ two-headed dog experiment has ignited passionate ⁢debates among ‌scientists,⁢ animal rights‌ activists, and ⁢the general public. This shocking scientific endeavor has raised ‍serious questions about ‍the boundaries⁤ of‍ ethical conduct⁣ in scientific ​research and the treatment‍ of animals.

This morally ‌dubious experiment has sparked outrage for several compelling reasons. **The ‌following points highlight⁤ the ethical travesty of ⁣creating a two-headed⁤ animal through⁣ scientific experimentation**: -‌ **Violation of⁤ animal rights**: The ⁣creation ‌of a​ two-headed ⁤dog ⁢represents a‍ blatant disregard for the welfare and rights ​of animals. It⁢ raises serious ethical concerns about the ​treatment of living ​beings⁣ in ⁤the name of⁣ scientific advancement. – **Lack ⁤of consideration ​for quality‌ of ⁢life**: Even if the experiment is deemed successful, the ⁢two-headed animal is likely to suffer from a diminished quality of⁤ life.‌ It is a cruel ⁢and​ inhumane​ act to subject an ​innocent creature to such a distressing and unnatural condition. – **Unnecessary scientific curiosity**: The experiment appears to ⁢be driven ⁤by⁣ the pursuit of ‍scientific curiosity rather than genuine necessity.‍ It​ showcases a disturbing lack of empathy and‍ ethical responsibility on the part⁤ of the researchers⁤ involved.

Q: What⁢ is the two headed dog experiment? A: The ‌two headed dog experiment refers to‌ a series‍ of ‍experiments conducted in the 1950s by⁣ Soviet scientist ⁢Vladimir⁤ Demikhov,‍ in which he surgically ⁣attached the head and⁢ upper body of one dog ⁤onto ⁤the body of‌ another dog.

Q:​ How⁤ did the public ⁤react‌ to this ⁢experiment? A: The public reacted with ⁣shock and horror to the news⁣ of these experiments, with many expressing outrage ⁤and disgust at the ethical implications of such a procedure.

Q: Why⁢ did the⁣ scientist conduct these‍ experiments? A: Demikhov ⁢conducted these ⁤experiments in an ​attempt to ⁤study ‍the possibility⁢ of transplanting vital⁤ organs ‌and extending the lives of patients with severe medical conditions . However, his methods⁢ were widely criticized for ​their inhumane⁤ nature.

Q: What were‍ the results of ⁢the experiments? A:⁤ The results⁤ of the experiments were largely unsuccessful, with the ‌majority of the hybrid dogs dying within a few days or weeks due to complications‌ and rejection‍ of the foreign tissue.

Q: How did the ⁣two headed ​dog ‍experiment impact scientific ‍ethics? A:⁣ The two headed​ dog experiment ‌sparked⁢ widespread debate ​and ​controversy regarding the ethical boundaries of scientific⁤ research, leading to ⁤increased scrutiny and regulations in ​the⁢ field of​ experimental surgery.

Q:⁢ What is the legacy of​ the two headed dog experiment? A: ⁤The two headed⁢ dog⁢ experiment has left a lasting legacy ⁤as ⁢a cautionary⁣ tale of ‍the​ dangers of⁢ unchecked scientific⁣ experimentation and the need for ethical considerations⁣ in the ⁣pursuit of⁢ medical advancements. It remains a⁤ haunting⁤ reminder of⁢ the potential consequences of disregarding ​the welfare of living‍ creatures in the name of progress.

In​ conclusion, the‍ story ‌of the two-headed dog experiment is a tragic reminder ⁢of ⁤the ethical boundaries that‌ should never be⁢ crossed in the pursuit‍ of scientific‌ advancement. The suffering endured⁤ by ‍these animals serves as a⁢ somber warning of‌ the potential consequences of ⁢unchecked‌ ambition‌ and the importance of‌ ethical considerations in the field⁣ of scientific⁢ research. As we reflect on the haunting image of a⁣ two-headed dog struggling ⁣to ⁣survive,⁤ let us ​remember the responsibility we⁢ have to‌ protect⁣ and respect the⁤ lives ​of ⁤all⁤ creatures, ⁢both ‌in the name of⁢ scientific progress and basic​ human decency. May the memory of these animals ⁤serve as a⁢ poignant reminder of the need for⁤ compassion and ethical consciousness ‍in the pursuit of knowledge.

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The history of the two-headed dog experiment

VLADIMIR DEMIKHOV WAS a pioneering surgeon.

Without his contributions to science and medicine, organ transplant and coronary surgery may not be as developed as it is today – a fact that is not well known because his papers were written in Russian while living on the bleaker side of the Cold War and through World War II.

Some of his peers noticed though.

Christiaan Neethling Barnard, the South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant, said in 1997: “I have always maintained that if there is a father of heart and lung transplantation then Demikhov certainly deserves this title”.

Gazing back at Demikhov’s early experiments that led to many successes in the operation rooms, however, can offer an uncomfortable experience.

He was the first person to perform a successful coronary artery bypass operation on a warm-blooded creature but, yet, became more famous for his two-headed dog.

In fact, many of his  experiments were carried out on dogs. He transplanted lungs and hearts, took organs out to see how long dogs would survive and watched their reactions to the new organs.

By far the most unusual experiments and surgeries included the transplantation of the head or half the body. In 1948, he wrote about the “surgical combination of two animals with the creation of a single circulation”.

In this image, Demikhov shows photographers how he stitched the head and upper body of a two-month-old puppy onto the neck of a four-year-old mongrel Mukhtar.

The work was carried out in the reanimation lab of the A.A.Bogomolets Physiology Institute of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.

In 1968, Demikhov transplanted another puppy’s head onto the neck of another dog. The creatures survived for 38 days. Its bodies were then stuffed and in 1988 given to Riga’s Museum of History of Medicine.

For the past two years, it has travelled around Germany for exhibitions. It returned to Latvia earlier this week.

(Warning: Graphic images that some viewers may find too disturbing)

(YouTube Credit: RussianFootageCom )

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Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov’s Two-Headed Dog

In 1955, at a meeting of the Moscow Surgical Society, a sensational exhibit was presented to the assembled guests. On the platform close to the audience, a large white dog was brought in. The dog looked happy, cheerfully wagging its tail, and unintimated by the large crowd of eager guests in front of him. He seemed particularly unconcerned by the unnatural appendage protruding from the side of his neck.

Just a few days before the meet, the dog had undergone a major surgery during which the Soviet scientist Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov had attached to the side of his neck a second head, acquired from a small brown-haired puppy. Both the hound and the decapitated head of the puppy were alive and reacting to stimuli. And even as the surgeons watched, the puppy's head gave the ear of its host a nasty bite. The white head snarled.

Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov’s demonstration sent shockwaves through Russia’s medical community, but this was not the first time our Soviet Dr. Frankenstein had ruffled feathers in his quest for medical breakthroughs. In 1937, at the age of only 21 and still a student, the young Vladimir had shocked his professors by creating the first artificial heart, which he successfully implanted into a dog. The dog survived for five hours. After graduation, Demikhov continued his experimental research, eventually performing successful heart and lung transplants, and later, liver and kidney transplantation on dogs and cats. Some of his patients survived for a month. His experiments with bypassing the coronary arteries were more satisfying. Four of the dogs survived for as long as 2 years. One dog operated in 1953 survived for 7 years.

Encouraged by his successes, Demikhov began moving to bolder experiments. In 1954, he performed his most controversial experimental operation, where he grafted the head and forelegs of a small puppy to the neck of a large adult dog.

“When the multiple dog regained consciousness after the operation, the puppy's head woke up and yawned. The big head gave it a puzzled look and tried at first to shake it off,” reports Time.

The puppy's head kept its own personality. Though handicapped by having almost no body of its own, it was as playful as any other puppy. It growled and snarled with mock fierceness or licked the hand that caressed it. The host-dog was bored by all this, but soon became reconciled to the unaccountable puppy that had sprouted out of its neck. When it got thirsty, the puppy got thirsty and lapped milk eagerly. When the laboratory grew hot, both host-dog and puppy put out their tongues and panted to cool off. After six days of life together, both heads and the common body died.

Demikhov created many such medical monstrosities. With time and experience, the survival rate of the animals improved, until one hybrid dog survived for 29 days.

When news of his pioneering surgeries spread throughout the western world, it raised many eyebrows and even more ethical questions regarding the acceptance of such procedures and their true medical need. But Demikhov could clearly see the future.

“The final goal of our experiments was to make transplantation of the heart and other organs in humans possible,” Demikhov wrote in a monograph.

Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov

In 1960, Demikhov published his book ‘ Experimental Transplantation of Vital Organs’ where he described in details the different approaches and surgical techniques. Soon afterwards the book was translated and published in several western countries, and for a long time was the only monograph in the field of transplantation of organs and tissues.

In his Landmarks in Cardiac Surgery , author Stephen Westaby recalled that in 1962, when an article on Demikhov’s head transplantations was published in the Cape Argos newspaper, Doctor Christiaan Barnard, a young South African cardiac surgeon at the Groote Schuur Hospital, remarked that “anything those Russians can do, we can do, too.” That same afternoon, he reproduced the experiment by transplanting the head of a dog onto another dog. The dog survived for several days.

Christiaan Barnard would later perform the world’s first successful transplantation of a human heart from a person who had just died from a head injury.

In 1997, a year before Vladimir Demikhov’s death, Dr. Barnard wrote in a letter to one his colleagues, crediting his own success to Demikhov's earlier experiments.

“He was certainly a remarkable man, having done all the research before extracorporeal circulation. I have always maintained that if there is a father of heart and lung transplantation then Demikhov certainly deserves this title,” Barnard wrote.

Despite his contribution to medical science, very few recognized Demikhov, especially by his own country. The true value of his experiments were acknowledged by the Russian state only at the end of his life, when he was awarded the “Order for Services for the Fatherland” in 1998, the year of his death.

Demikhov performing experimental surgery in Leipzig.

The last dog head transplant performed by Vladimir Demikhov on January 13, 1959 in East Germany.

References: # Simon Matskeplishvili, https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/46/3406/4706202 # Igor E. Konstantinov, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763473/ # Russia Beyond, https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/326540-dog-heads-demikhov-soviet-medicine # Time, http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,891156,00.html

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At the Cutting Edge of the Impossible

A Tribute to Vladimir P. Demikhov

Igor E Konstantinov , MD, PhD

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Vladimir P. Demikhov (1916–1998) performed the world's first experimental intrathoracic transplantations and coronary artery bypass operation. His successes heralded the era of modern heart and lung transplantation and the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease. Even though he was one of the greatest experimental surgeons of the 20th century, his international isolation fueled speculation, suppositions, and myths. Ironically, his transplantation of a dog's head drew more publicity than did his pioneering thoracic surgical accomplishments, and he became an easy target for criticism. An account of Demikhov's life and work is presented herein.

Key words: Cardiac surgical procedures/history/methods; coronary artery bypass; Demikhov V; dogs; heart transplantation/history; history of medicine, 20th century; lung transplantation/history; Russia; thoracic surgery; USSR

What I want and aim at is confoundedly difficult, and yet I do not think I aim too high. I want to do drawings which touch some people … I want to progress so far that people will say of my work, he feels deeply, he feels tenderly—notwithstanding my so-called roughness, perhaps even because of it. It seems pretentious to talk this way now, but this is the reason why I want to push on with all my strength. What am I in most people's eyes? A nonentity or an eccentric and disagreeable man—somebody who has no position in society and never will have, in short, the lowest of the low. Very well … then I should want my work to show what is in the heart of such an eccentric, of such a nobody. This is my ambition, which is, in spite of everything, founded less on anger than on love. 1 —Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)

Vladimir P. Demikhov's success with experimental coronary artery surgery and intrathoracic organ transplantations heralded the modern era of heart and lung transplantation and the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease. However, Demikhov is known today mainly as a legendary surgeon who experimentally transplanted a second head onto a dog. His international isolation fueled speculation, suppositions, and myths. Although Demikhov's contributions to cardiothoracic surgery became internationally recognized during recent decades, 2–10 almost no details were known about him. Presented here is the biography of the man behind the legends—one of the greatest experimental surgeons of the 20th century.

Demikhov's Early Years

Vladimir P. Demikhov was born on 18 July 1916, into a family of peasants in the village of Yarizenskaia in Russia's Voronezh region. His father was killed during the Russian civil war. His mother was apparently a very determined woman: although she was herself minimally educated, she strove to provide a higher education for all 3 of her children.

In 1934, Demikhov left home in order to study biology at the University of Moscow. Upon arriving, he faced his first challenge: fulfilling the university's requirement that all newly admitted students present a photograph of themselves wearing a white shirt and a necktie. Demikhov had never had a white shirt or a tie, or the money to buy them. A kind photographer solved this problem for him by superimposing this apparel onto Vladimir's picture ( Fig. 1 ).

Fig. 1 Vladimir P. Demikhov (1916–1998), upon his admission to the University of Moscow in 1934 (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

Education, Enthusiasm, and Early Experiments

In 1937, Demikhov designed the first mechanical cardiac-assist device. Although it was too large to be installed inside the chest of a dog (the primary animal upon which Demikhov experimented), it could take over cardiac function for approximately 5 hours. His experiments were the first ever in which circulation was maintained in an animal whose heart had been excised. 2

Implantation of an artificial heart had appeared to be impossible. The pioneering nature and practical implications of this innovation were not appreciated, and yet Demikhov was not overly troubled. He was young, and full of energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas. Young men of that time dreamed about aviation, and Demikhov was no exception. He studied gliding and even took a flight, the recollection of which made him smile. A rumbling truck dragged his glider across a field as his friends ran behind. The glider took off, and it flew for a couple of minutes at about 2 meters above the field before it hit the ground and flipped over. When the disoriented Demikhov clambered out, his friends, all gasping for air, surrounded him. One of them finally managed to catch his breath and ask, “How was it in the sky?” Thus ended his short-term passion for airplanes. At that moment, he vowed to undertake activities that were more terrestrial.

Upon his graduation from the University of Moscow in 1940, Demikhov began working there as an assistant in the Department of Physiology. He transplanted a heart into the inguinal region of a dog. Not long thereafter, he realized that “because of its anatomical and physiological features, the heart can only function actively when it is transplanted into the thorax. If it is transplanted to the vessels of the neck or into the inguinal region, it cannot take an active part in the movement of the blood, and it is a neutral organ, living on the recipient's blood.” 3,4

World War II, and Demonstration of Character

His research was disrupted by World War II. After completing basic military training, Demikhov was accorded the rank of lieutenant. He served as a pathologist in a field evacuation hospital and saw, firsthand, all the horrors of war. His exemplary sense of honesty—a hallmark of his life—was challenged with potentially fatal consequences during this time. Years after the war, after having heard many tales about her father's honesty, his daughter asked, “Did you ever lie?” “Yes,” he replied, “I lied a lot.” Demikhov told her that the stress in the combat zone was overwhelming, and that many soldiers shot themselves in order to “escape” to the comparative refuge of the hospital. This was considered a war crime, the punishment for which was death. Demikhov was consulted as a forensic expert regarding such shootings. Although in most patients it was obvious to him that an injury was self-inflicted, he tried his best to attenuate the evidence, and thus he considered himself to have lied. His “lies” saved many lives. Demikhov knew all too well what fate would have befallen him had his falsehoods been revealed.

The Postwar Years

When Germany capitulated, Demikhov was in Berlin. The USSR declared war on Japan. Earlier in 1945, Demikhov and his unit had traveled by train halfway around the world, from Berlin to Harbin, China. At the year's end, Demikhov was able to return to Moscow. His siblings were working there: his brother as an accountant, and his sister as a biology teacher ( Fig. 2 ).

Fig. 2 Vladimir Demikhov (right) with his brother Viacheslav (1913–1970) and sister Julia (1919–), 1946 (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

In early 1946, experimenting on dogs, Demikhov performed intrathoracic transplantations of a heart, a lung, and the heart and lungs together—the first successful procedures of this kind that had been performed in any mammal. 7 Demikhov performed these transplantations without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass or hypothermia; instead, he relied heavily on speedy surgery and his self-designed technique of organ preservation during transfer. On 30 June 1946, a dog survived heterotopic heart–lung transplantation for 9.5 hours, marking Demikhov's first genuine success with this procedure. In 1969, Cooper 5 credited Demikhov with achieving transplantation of the heart and both lungs into an orthotopic locus, stating that Demikhov's “ingenious” technique “enabled the blood supply to the brain to be maintained continuously throughout the operation, with the exception of 2 to 3 minutes at the critical stage.”

Demikhov began his 52-year marriage to his wife, Lia, in August 1946. Their only child, daughter Olga, was born on 16 July 1947.

Demikhov's experimental animals lived as long as 30 days after undergoing transplantation of both lungs, due in part to his preservation of the nerves of the diaphragm and normal function of abdominal organs after intrathoracic transplantation.

From 1947 into 1955, Demikhov conducted his experiments in Moscow at the Institute of Surgery ( Fig. 3 ). 10 Alexander V. Vishnevsky directed the Institute. In the 1950s, a review committee of the Soviet Ministry of Health decided that Demikhov's work was unethical, and he was commanded to cease his research projects. However, Vishnevsky was surgeon-in-charge of the Soviet armed forces and was thus independent enough to be able to disobey the Ministry of Health and shelter Demikhov's research activities. Demikhov later worked at the Sechenov Medical Institute in Moscow (1955–1960) ( Fig. 4 ) and with the Sklifosovsky Emergency Institute (1960–1986).

Fig. 3 Vladimir Demikhov (standing, 4th from left), Alexander V. Vishnevsky (seated, 4th from left), and their colleagues at the Institute of Surgery in Moscow, 1953 (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

Fig. 4 Vladimir Demikhov and one of his experimental dogs, in front of his laboratory at the Sechenov Medical Institute in Moscow (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

In the early 1950s, Demikhov insisted that his mother come to live with his family. The 4 of them lived in 2 tiny rooms from 1954 until 1972, when his mother died at age 77. Besides his relatives, Demikhov often kept an experimental dog at home so that he could keep an eye on it all the time. Fortunately, he had a very supportive family ( Fig. 5 ).

Fig. 5 Vladimir Demikhov with his wife Lia and daughter Olga, 1960s (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

The Use of the Heart–Lung Preparation

Demikhov kept his donor heart–lung preparations viable during transfer by means of closed-circuit circulation. Blood from the left ventricle was pumped into the aorta; then, through the coronary vessels that sup-plied the myocardium, it passed into the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the lungs, where the blood was reoxygenated and returned to the left atrium. 3,4,11 Demikhov based his design of this heart–lung preparation on the original work of Ivan P. Pavlov. In 1886, Pavlov and his associate N.J. Chistovich had designed the first preparation in which the heart and the lungs were maintained alive as they functioned on their own power. This preparation was subsequently useful in research into the pharmacologic action of various drugs. 12 In 1912, Knowlton and Starling described a modified heart–lung preparation (Starling's preparation). 13 Demikhov simplified this preparation and used it in the early 1950s, saying that “in the future, when the transplantation of the human heart and lungs is a practical possibility, the transfer of the organ in a functioning state will be facilitated by the use of this preparation.” 4 Subsequently, Robicsek and colleagues 14 reported their modification of the preparation, which would enable clinically applicable preservation of the heart and lungs. In 1987, Hardesty and Griffith 15 reported their successful use of modified, autoperfused heart–lung preparation in clinical transplantation. In the 1950s, however, it had seemed impossible that heart–lung preparation would ever achieve any clinical use.

The First Coronary Bypass Operation

Experimenting on a dog, Demikhov performed the first successful coronary bypass operation, on 29 July 1953. To achieve the coronary anastomosis, Demikhov used his personal adaptation of Payr's technique, which had originally been described in 1900. Four dogs survived longer than 2 years, and anastomotic patency was proved in all. 3,4 Demikhov explored possible clinical application by experimenting on cadavers and baboons.

Because the widespread clinical application of coronary bypass surgery seemed impossible in the early 1960s, Demikhov's experimental work of the previous decade was initially regarded by many as impractical and quite eccentric. 16 Undaunted by such criticism, V.I. Kolesov in Leningrad undertook further experiments. From 25 February 1964 through 9 May 1967, the department of surgery that Kolesov directed was the only place on earth where coronary bypasses were performed. Kolesov acknowledged Demikhov's pioneering contributions in his first publication 17 and in many thereafter.

Head Transplantation and the Firestorm of Controversy

In 1954, Demikhov performed canine head transplantation ( Fig. 6 ). The maximal survival of any animal was 29 days. 3,4,8 Ironically, the news of this pioneering surgery spread around the world far more rapidly than had any reports of Demikhov's earlier experiments. The operation raised many eyebrows and even more ethical questions: newspapers everywhere were imbued with discussions of various perspectives, ethics arguments, and controversies. In 1997, one author 18 recalled that in 1962 he had been “sitting in the surgeon's changing room when a report of Demikhov's head transplant appeared in the Cape Argos newspaper. The news was conveyed to Christiaan Barnard, who was clearly put out. He stormed out with the retort that ‘anything those Russians can do, we can do, too.’ The same afternoon, Barnard transplanted the head of a dog onto a recipient dog, which survived for several days. Animal-rights protectors were incensed, and the medical students built a papier-mâché 2-headed dog for their RAG [raising and giving] parade. Barnard had already walked the tightrope between genius and vulgarity.”

Fig. 6 Experimental dog with two heads (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

The head transplantation by Demikhov was arguably the most controversial experimental operation of the 20th century. It fomented waves of indignation in medical circles, and Demikhov—whose experiments were always an easy target for criticism—was accused of being a charlatan. Why did he perform head transplantation? There will never be a clinical application of this procedure in any modification. This is simply impossible. This is the only operation of Demikhov's that will never find its clinical application. Or … or will it?

Belated Recognition

Due to the Cold War, Demikhov rarely appeared outside the Soviet Union. In 1958, he gained peer recognition after he demonstrated experimental transplantations in Leipzig, Germany ( Fig. 7 ). On 16 September 1960, Demikhov was given membership in the Royal Scientific Society of Uppsala, Sweden. That same year, his monograph 4 was published in Moscow, and it was translated and further published (in New York, 1962 3 ; in Berlin, 1963; and in Madrid, 1967). This was the world's first book that discussed intrathoracic transplantation. A year after the first translation, James Hardy performed the first transplantation of a human lung. Other surgeons became eager to visit Demikhov's research facilities, but only a few succeeded. One of those few was Christiaan Barnard, who visited Moscow as a tourist in 1962 and was able to divert himself from the planned itinerary. In 1997, Barnard wrote to me that Demikhov “was certainly a remarkable man, having done all the research before extracorporeal circulation. I have always maintained that if there is a father of heart and lung transplantation, then Demikhov certainly deserves this title.”

Fig. 7 Vladimir Demikhov performs heart–lung transplantation on 16 December 1958 in Leipzig, Germany (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

In April 1989, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation was “privileged to present the first Pioneer Award to Professor Demikhov of the Soviet Union for his leadership role in the development of intrathoracic transplantation and the use of artificial hearts.” 9 At that year's meeting of the Society, in Munich, Germany, Demikhov personally received the award ( Fig. 8 ) in front of an appreciative audience that included his daughter Olga. This tribute to his achievements, belated though it was, partially made amends for his decades of labor in comparative obscurity.

Fig. 8 Christian Cabrol (left) presents the Pioneer Award of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation to Vladimir Demikhov on 25 April 1989 in Munich, Germany (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

Final Years, and Death

Stroke with memory loss made it impossible for Demikhov to update his 1960 monograph, as he had desired ( Fig. 9 ). In April 1998, Demikhov was hospitalized with recurrent stroke. He was paralyzed and developed pneumonia. His wife Lia died on 11 July, and he never recovered from this loss. Although Demikhov was discharged after some months in the hospital, he remained bedridden. He died in his small apartment outside Moscow on 22 November 1998. The world of medicine as Demikhov left it was almost unrecognizable from the world that he had entered—most of his ideas were now a routine part of clinical practice.

Fig. 9 Vladimir Demikhov with his unpublished monograph revision, January 1998 (photograph courtesy of Olga V. Demikhova).

Demikhov's Legacy

The paradox surrounding Vladimir Demikhov was that he was always exploring the unknown, far ahead of the times. His work produced much anxiety in lay and medical circles. Public and scientific attitudes toward his work changed many times. Immediate judgment was difficult—too new and unconventional were his experiments. Some of his contemporaries considered his work to be on the cutting edge of surgical research, and they were eager to meet him. Others deemed his work fanciful or vulgar and were reluctant to admit any association with him. Regardless of the attitudes toward Demikhov's accomplishments, his work touched some people and made them believe in what seemed impossible. Only upon the passage of time can one appreciate the true impact of his innovations.

Acknowledgment

I am grateful to Dr. Olga V. Demikhova for providing unique photographs from her family archives and for recalling many interesting episodes in her father's life.

Address for reprints : Igor E. Konstantinov, MD, PhD, Department of CardiacSurgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia E-mail : [email protected]

This paper draws from and expands upon the author's previous works: Konstantinov IE. Pioneers in Cardiology: Vladimir P. Demikhov, PhD. Circulation 2008;117:f99-102; and Konstantinov IE. A mystery of Vladimir P. Demikhov: the 50th anniversary of the first intrathoracic transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg 1998;65(4):1171–7.

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How Vladimir Demikhov Actually Made A Two-Headed Dog

Table of Contents:

After transplanting a number of vital organs between dogs, his favorite experimental subjects, he aimed amid much controversy to see if he could take things further; he wanted to graft the head of one dog onto the body of another fully intact dog. Starting in 1954, Demikhov and his associates set about performing this surgery 23 times with varying degrees of success. The 24th time, in 1959, was not the most successful, but it was the most publicized, with an article and accompanying photos appearing in Life magazine. Demikhov chose two topics. one large straight German shepherd that Demikhov named Brodiaga in Russian, and a smaller dog named Shafka.

Has there ever been conjoined dogs?

A female pair of conjoined twins of the Lhasa Apso canine breed was subjected to tomographic and anatomical examinations. The twins had only one head and neck. The two ribcages were joined, extending to the umbilicus, with duplicated structures thereafter.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28940234/

Rodiaga would be the host dog, and schaefka would supply the secondary head and neck with shake his lower body amputated below the four legs keeping her own heart and lungs connected until the last minute before the transplant and a corresponding incision in brodiaga’s neck where schaefer’s upper body would attach the rest was mostly vascular reconstruction other than attaching the dogs’ vertebrae with plastic strings thanks to the team’s wealth of experience Unlike some of his other breakthroughs in the field of transplantology, this head transplant had no real-world applications, but it had very real implications for the dogs. As outrageous as this all sounds, a head transplant wasn’t even that radical for the 1950s; in 1908, French surgeon Dr. Alexis Carroll and his partner, American physiologist Dr. Charles Guthrie, attempted the same experiment. Their dual-headed canine initially showed p Canavero stated last year that they have a tight schedule, but the team in China says they are ready to go anyway.

Most of the medical community believes that a transplant of this kind is still science fiction fodder, but in the not-too-distant future, such a surgery may become a reality.

Q&A – 💬

❓ how did vladimir demikhov make a two-headed dog.

Vladimir Demikhov feeds the two-headed dog he created by grafting the head and two front legs of a puppy onto the back of the neck of a full-grown German shepherd . Starting in 1954, Demikhov and his associates set about performing this surgery 23 times, with varying degrees of success.

❓ What was the two-headed dog experiment and why?

The breakthrough creation of a two-headed dog In 1954, Demikhov successfully grafted the head of a smaller puppy onto a grown-up dog .

• He sewed dogs' circulatory systems together and connected their vertebrae with plastic strings.
• The puppy's head growled and snarled.
• It licked the hand which caressed it.

❓ What was the Soviet 2 headed dog experiment?

You're looking at the horror film-esque result of an early transplant procedure by Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov, and it's really more like a one-and-a-half dog—Demikhov successfully grafted the head and forelegs of a smaller dog, Shavka onto a bigger dog, Brodyaga. Both initially survived the procedure.

❓ Has there ever been a dog with 2 heads?

In 1968, Demikhov transplanted another puppy's head onto the neck of another dog .

• The creatures survived for 38 days.
• Its bodies were then stuffed and in 1988 given to Riga's Museum of History of Medicine.
• For the past two years, it has travelled around Germany for exhibitions.

References:

• “The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin” by Steven Lee Myers – Simon & Schuster UK, 2015
• “The Invention of the Modern Dog: Breed and Blood in Victorian Britain” by Michael Worboys, Julie-Marie Strange, Neil Pemberton – Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018
• “The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour and Interactions with People” by James Serpell, Priscilla Barrett – Cambridge University Press, 1995
• “Mason’s World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding, 2 Volume Pack” by Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, et. al. – CABI, 2016

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Two-Headed Dogs and Human Head Transplants

Said experiments were conducted by one, Vladimir Demikhov, a Soviet scientist who is noted as being a pioneer in the field of organ transplantation. Dr. Demikhov was responsible for, amongst other things, pioneering the use of immuno-suppressants in organ transplants and designing the “first mechanical cardiac-assist device”, essentially the precursor to modern artificial hearts. With this latter device, Demikhov was able to take over the cardiac function of a dog for around five hours, an experiment notable for being “ the first ever in which circulation was maintained in an animal whose heart had been excised ”. Prior to Demikhov, this was a feat that many believed to be impossible.

Demikhov is also known to have performed the first heart transplant in 1946, in this instance on a dog; this was a full 21 years before the first human transplant took place and was a major step towards the latter ever happening. It has been noted that Demikhov was a genius whose “successes heralded the era of modern heart and lung transplantation”. Despite this glowing praise in some circles, his contributions have largely been overlooked outside of the medical community due to the infamy of his later, more audacious experiments.

This brings us back to the two headed dogs. Sometime in the early 1950s, spurred on by the success of his experiments involving the transplantation of organs in dogs, including several experiments in which he’d managed to successfully transplant multiple organs of the same type into the same animal, Demikhov began toying with the idea of transplanting the most valuable organ of all- the brain.

Demikhov is said have been inspired by the work of his peer, Dr Sergei Brukhonenko, another Soviet medical pioneer known for inventing a machine capable of artificially simulating the functionality of the heart and lungs, albeit on a temporary basis. Like Demikhov, the work of Brukhonenko is largely overlooked due to an experiment involving dogs. In Brukhonenko’s case, he infamously kept the decapitated heads of several dogs alive using the aforementioned machine for a number of hours, proving that it was possible to keep the brain alive and functional after almost unthinkable trauma.

Footage of these experiments appears in a documentary released in 1940 aptly titled “Experiments in the Revival of Organisms”. However, the veracity of this footage , which shows a decapitated dog’s head connected to a heart lung machine blinking and responding to various stimuli, has been the topic of heated debate for many years and even to this day, there’s no agreement on whether it actually shows what it claims. To be clear, Brukhonenko’s experiments on reanimation are well documented and there’s little doubt they actually took place as he claimed. However, there is some uncertainty about whether the particular documentary actually shows real experiments or whether it was a reenactment of sorts after the fact for propaganda purposes.

Getting back to Demikhov, his idea was as simple as it was shocking. He would prove that the brain, like any other organ, could be successfully transplanted by cutting the head off a dog, keeping it alive using the same technology as Brukhonenko had done, and then transplanting it onto the body of another dog.

All in all, it’s recorded that Demikhov performed this experiment “over 24 times” with varying degrees of success- success in this context meaning that the subjects survived the ordeal and even displayed some awareness of their surroundings and the ability to respond to stimuli. After successful transplants, the dogs typically died days later as a result of immune responses.

Of course, scientists being good scientists, many were skeptical that Demikhov could actually perform such a procedure successfully- they wanted direct proof. So to silence the skeptics, Demikhov invited LIFE magazine to document and photograph one of his experiments in 1959. The resulting article, titled “Russia Two-Headed Dog” documented the entire transplant procedure including the preliminary preparations, during which Demikhov introduced the journalist writing the article to the two dogs he was about to sew together, Shavka, a small 9 year old female, and Brodyaga, a large stray of which little was known.

The article culminated in Shavka’s head and fore legs being successfully grafted onto Brodyaga’s body. The operation was such a success, in fact, that Shavka’s decapitated head was even able to lap a few mouthfuls of water from a bowl with some assistance, something Demikhov did purely for the cameras present as Shavka’s throat was not attached to Brodyaga’s stomach, meaning it couldn’t gain any nourishment from food or water via normal means.

In the end, the two dogs survived for four days before dying from complications of the surgery, which came as a surprise to Demikhov who revealed that some of his previous subjects had survived for as long as 29 days.

Doing this meant that, with the exception of the spinal cord, every major artery and even the windpipe and throat could be connected successfully to the new host body, allowing for more or less normal body function, other than the typical issues associated with paralysis. What’s more, the transplanted monkey head retained full awareness of its surroundings to such an extent that literally the first thing it did upon regaining consciousness was bite the finger of a medical assistant.

With these results in hand, White concluded that performing the same surgery on a human would soon be possible and that the person would not only potentially survive, but suffer few ill effects other than the obvious (then) irreversible damage to their spinal cord, something that wouldn’t be an issue for terminal quadriplegics, who White felt would be the best candidates for such a procedure. However, he also stated,

Whether such dramatic procedures will ever be justified in the human area must wait not only upon the continued advance of medical science but more appropriately the moral and social justification of such procedural undertakings.

Others have also taken up the research area despite the ethical controversy, citing the massive benefit such procedures would provide to countless individuals, such as those with terminal cancer, severe muscular atrophy, paralysis from the neck down, people with multiple organ failure, etc.- essentially, anyone who has an otherwise fully functional brain, but whose life support systems (in sum comprising their body) are failing in some way, which ultimately would cause the premature death of the brain.

Not satisfied to leave the head transplanted individual paralyzed, Dr. Canavero even managed to re-knit the spinal cord of a rat after severing it, allowing the animal to eventually regain control of its body. German researchers in 2014 also reported similar success repairing a severed spinal cord in a rat using a similar technique . Said Canavero, “This experiment is an important piece of our puzzle because now we know for sure that it is possible for a spinal cord to grow back together.”

Beyond Dr. Canavero, arguably the world leader in head transplants is one Dr. Ren Xiaoping of China who has led a team that has made significant advancements in the procedures in this arena. Dr. Canavero recently commented on Dr. Xiaoping’s work, “I can tell you that within the last 18 months, about 1,000 similar surgeries were performed in China, and I can say that this very rat (the one with the repaired spinal cord) is not the best sample. We will say more as soon as the information is published in the scientific magazines, because until then it is restricted by copyright.”

As for Dr. Xioaping, he noted of the ethics of the procedure that back when things like human heart transplants were first becoming a real possibility, there was just as much controversy surrounding if this area of research, let alone applying it to a human procedure, was morally acceptable or not, and that “many people say a head transplant is not ethical. But what is the essence of a person? A person is the brain, not the body. The body is just an organ.”  Essentially, the body is just a magnificent life support system.  For some, theirs fails resulting in an otherwise healthy brain that might have lived many more years dying as well.

Beyond practicing procedures on cadavers, presently Dr. Xioaping and his team have successfully transplanted numerous heads of rats and other animals onto new host bodies, including transplanting monkey heads, which, as previously noted, is a relatively similar procedure to transplanting a human head. Dr. Xioaping reported that (currently) a monkey head transplant takes approximately 20 hours to complete and he expects a human head transplant to take an additional 10-20 hours.

However, before Dr. Xioaping is willing to try the procedure on an otherwise terminal human patient, he stated that advancements still need to be made to ensure an extremely high probability of success. Towards this end, he and his team are working on improving methods to cut the spinal cord cleanly enough to allow for a high probability of reconnecting to the spinal cord in the new body, advancements in suppressing organ rejection, and ability to better maintain blood pressure to the brain throughout the procedure to ensure no brain damage.

Despite the technical obstacles remaining and some amount of public opposition to such human procedures, even if they ultimately are life saving for many with otherwise terminal conditions, Dr. Xioaping posited in March of 2016,

We are getting closer and closer to our goal of a human head transplant. I don’t have a timetable. It is very complex work. We can’t say it will happen tomorrow – but I am not ruling out next year.

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy our new popular podcast, The BrainFood Show ( iTunes , Spotify , Google Play Music , Feed ), as well as:

• A Space Race for the Dogs… and Monkeys and Fruit Flies
• What Really Causes Arms, Legs, and Feet to “Fall Asleep”
• When Doctors Literally “Blew Smoke Up Your Arse”
• The Curious Tale of Turnspit Dogs
• In a Transplant/Transfusion, Does the Donor’s DNA Get Integrated Into the New Host?

Bonus Facts:

• Vladimir Demikhov was not the first to graft the head of a dog to the body of another.  That dubious honor goes to Charles Claude Guthrie, who performed such a procedure on May 21, 1908.  Unfortunately for him, doing this may well have cost him a Nobel Prize.  Guthrie collaborated heavily with French physician Alexis Carrel in vascular surgery research- research that Carrel would in 1912 win a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for, despite that some argue it was Guthrie who should have been given primary credit.  It has been proposed that Guthrie’s controversial decision to work on head transplants is why he was ignored by the Nobel Prize committee.
• Dogs are commonly eaten in certain regions of Asia with around 13-16 million dogs eaten every year there, or around nearly 4% of the world’s canine population.  It should be noted, though, that typical breeds you’d find in people’s households as pets are not the ones usually eaten.  Rather, as with typical Western meat sources like turkeys, bovines, and chickens, specific breeds have been developed for consumption, such as the hugely popular Nureongi dog, which is rarely raised for anything else but livestock and is one of the most popular dog breeds to eat.  If you’re curious, the nureongi somewhat resembles a small yellow Labrador.
• In South Korea, both dogs meant to be pets and dogs meant to be eaten can often be seen sold in the same marketplace.  Usually the cages the dogs are kept in will be marked or colour coded to distinguish which dogs are for what purpose.
• Dr. White took exception to the term “head transplant”, preferring to instead refer to the procedure as a “full body transplant”. His reasoning being that, as a Catholic he believed that the brain was the “anatomical seat of the soul” and that transferring the head to another body was merely a way of keeping the soul, and thus the person it belonged to, alive. He later noted that after he successfully transplanted the monkey head, he thought “What have I done? Have I reached a point where the human soul can be transplanted? And if so, what does that mean?”
• Soviet Scientists Made This Two-Headed Dog
• LIFE Magazine – 20 July 1959
• Science: Transplanted Head
• Red Research
• The Frankenstein Factor
• Frankenstein fears after head transplant
• At the Cutting Edge of the Impossible
• Dawn and Evolution of Cardiac Procedures
• Meet the Late Dr. Robert White, Who Transplanted the First Monkey Head
• Dr Robert White – 2000 Profile
• Disabled Human Guinea Pig Volunteers for Head Transplant
• Chinese Surgeon Prepares World’s First Head Transplant
• Head Transplant
• Charles Guthrie
• Hypovolemia
• Featured Facts

FINALLY A GREAT ARTICLE AFTER MANY DAYS……WAS A PLEASURE TO READ AND VERY INFORMATIVE AND VERY WELL WRITTEN. 5 STARS. TNX KRL

Meaning exactly what, LP? The fare so far this week fails to please your ever so discerning palate for knowledge? How unfortunate. Daven must be devastated.

Absolute Hot held no interest for you? Perhaps you found it offensive. No doubt the Big Bang Theory runs counter to whatever ignorant creation fable you believe in.

Flushing our poo, despite clearly failing to rise to your impeccable journalistic standards, somehow intrigued you sufficiently to elicit a smattering of your moronic word salad. So I’m not sure what that’s all about.

Mother’s Day. Of course you don’t give a rat’s about that. Mothers are women. No doubt even yours, poor soul.

Ah! Two-headed dogs and head transplants and the awful things those bastards did to those animals. Now we’re talking! Of course you’re all over that shit. Hey, you know what would be really funny? What if YOU got sick or hurt and they told you they could transplant YOUR head onto another body–but the only one they could find was a woman’s!! Youngish, but not attractive…yet somehow pregnant with twins. Imagine going through life subject to the ignorance and disrespect of assholes like you. I laughed and laughed when I thought of that.

And really, STOP USING CAPS!! Clearly another of the things you don’t understand is that on the internet, using all caps is equivalent to yelling, and considered very rude. On the other hand, it is kind of apt considering the nature of the drivel that spews forth from your long-suffering keyboard. So carry on, I guess. If not much else, you’re an endless source of humour and revulsion.

THE CAPS MEAN YOU MUST TRUST AND RESPECT MY OPINION AND AUTHORITAH ABOVE ALL OTHERS. DO YOU NOT REALISE HOW IMPORTANT MY HONEST CUSTOMER FEEDBACK AND APPROVAL ARE TO THE AUTHORS OF ALL WEBSITES I VISIT? A+++++++ Oh wait, I forgot this isn’t a 99c buy-it-now eBay sale, and I’m not the CEO of the world wide web. Please excuse the caps. People only notice me when I yell on the internet.

Quoting from the article: “Beyond Dr. Canavero, arguably the world leader in head transplants is one Dr. Ren Xiaoping of China who has led a team that has made significant advancements in the procedures in this arena. Dr. Canavero recently commented on Dr. Xiaoping’s work … Dr. Xiaoping …” [etc. “Dr. Xiaoping” about four more times].

The proper way of referring to the doctor is “Dr. Ren.” In China, the surname is stated first. Often (as in this case) the “given name” consist of two syllables, which, when transliterated, have a hyphen placed between them … but the hyphen is not required. I believe that one can find “Dr. Ren Xiao-ping” at some sites.

A better known example of this is the name of the former (and phenomenally bloodthirsty) dictator, Mao Tse-Tung. He was referred to as “Chairman Mao,” not as “Chairman Tsetung.”

The above information, however, is trivial compared to mankind’s need to reflect on the very last point in the article — Dr. Robert White’s concerns regarding his “full body transplant[ation]” to a monkey’s head. As the article states, “he believed that the brain was the ‘anatomical seat of the soul’ and that transferring the head to another body was merely a way of keeping the soul, and thus the person it belonged to, alive. … ‘Have I reached a point where the human soul can be transplanted? And if so, what does that mean?’”

Philosophers, religious leaders, and others have probably not yet reflected sufficiently (and published their conclusions) on this topic. Dr. White’s own Church may, in the end, decide that he was mistaken in thinking that “the brain [is] the ‘anatomical seat of the soul,” and that would have major implications regarding the ethics of future research and experiments.

I stated the above for the following reason: A human being, who (most people believe) has an immortal, immaterial/spiritual soul, is not like any other animal (which has only a material “soul” that ceases to exist at death). A human being (most people believe) is a composite of body an soul. This is sometimes referred to as a person having ensouled body or an embodied soul. The two components (many people believe) are completely intertwined and cannot be completely separated except through death — and even then (Christians believe) separated only until the general resurrection at the end of time.

The question yet to be carefully considered is whether or not a “full body transplant[ation]” is merely the fullest extension of what has already been judged to be ethical and even morally good — the transplantation of one or more organs — or if it somehow exceeds the bounds of ethical/moral propriety. One that that is absolutely certain is that Dr. White’s Church, even if it some day approves of “full body transplant[ation]” will NEVER approve of transplanting the body of a cadaver of one sex to the living head of a person of the other sex. Transplanting the heart/kidney/etc. of a man to a woman (or vice versa) has been deemed OK, because there is no potential conflict involving the brain, soul, and the sexual organs … but that is a conflict that would apparently arise if the “trunk” of a man were to be attached to the head of a woman (or vice versa). On the other hand, if there would always be complete paralysis below the neck, perhaps that conflict would not exist.

On the one hand, I look forward to reading what the minds of the world’s most brilliant (and holy) people conclude on these matters. On the other hand, I feel inclined to hope that insurmountable medical/scientific obstacles arise that make human full-body transplantation completely impossible.

Forgive me for stating the obvious. Well-written article aside, this guy reeks. What kind of human being does this kind of thing? Revolting. I have little use for PETA, but this guy deserves their full fury.

Been there…seen that… “The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant” and “The Thing With Two Heads” come to mind…

But it’s got to be a hell of a lot easier than the old school brain transplant routine…

Vladimir Demikhov and the Two-Headed Dog Experiment

Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 02:03 am

Frankenstein may have had a kindred spirit with Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov. 

In 1954, Demikhov successfully grafted the head of a smaller dog onto the neck of a larger one, essentially creating a two-headed dog. 

A few years later, in 1959,  LIFE  magazine visited Demikhov to document what would be the 24th of his creative experiments on canines.

The  LIFE  team reported in detail the gruesome operation. After Demikhov prepared the dogs for surgery, he carved down through the smaller one, Shavka’s, flesh to her vital organs. 

Next, he severed her spine. The magazine article then picks up with this description:

“Although the rest of the body had now been amputated, Shavka’s head and forepaws still retained and used the lungs and heart. Now began the third and most critical phase of the transplantation. The main blood vessels of Shavka’s head had to be connected perfectly with the corresponding vessels of the host dog. Demikhov severed the small dog’s arteries and, with a surgical stapling machine which is the Russian’s special invention, swiftly spliced them into the exposed vessels in Brodyaga’s neck. Shavka’s own heart and lungs were then cut away.”

This nightmarish process resulted in a dog with an extra head that could eat and swallow but little else. 

The head was not connected to the rest of the larger dog’s organs, so all the food that the extra head ingested had to be pumped through a tube and discarded. 

Demikhov had proven that he could turn two healthy dogs into one bizarre-looking dog with a virtual death sentence (the longest living of Demikhov’s dogs lasted one month). But why did he do it?

Hearts and Heads: Vladimir Demikhov’s Strange Experiments

Although Shavka and Brodyaga (the larger dog) only survived for four days, they fared better than many of their predecessors, who quickly died. Overall, Demikhov made at least 20 head grafts throughout his career. 

His work, however, began with hearts.

In 1946, Demikhov began adding an extra heart to dogs to see if it would continue pumping blood. 

Although these second hearts only lasted a few months, he considered the experiments a success. He then wanted to test how much of a dog’s body a single heart could sustain, essentially doing the opposite of the previous heart experiments. 

To that end, he began grafting whole front ends of dogs onto his experimental victims. Shavka and Brodyaga were part of those efforts.

The most successful of Demikhov’s head grafts was undoubtedly a German Shepard named Pirat, who lived for a whole month as host to a smaller dog’s head. 

Demikhov was happy to note that the passenger’s head acted independently of the German Shepherd host, occasionally biting and nibbling Pirat’s ear.

If you’re wondering whether Demikhov had a guilty conscience about what he was doing to his dog subjects, he makes it pretty clear that he lost no sleep over the experiments. 

He claimed that “The big dog doesn’t understand” and that “he feels some kind of inconvenience, but he doesn’t know what it is.” He even joked that Brodyaga was a lucky dog because “You know the saying: two heads are better than one.”

Clearly, Demikhov wasn’t too concerned about the plight of his test subjects. But he wasn’t just carrying out these experiments as a cruel joke. He genuinely wanted to make organ transplants more effective in order to help accident victims who rely on these risky operations. 

In this, Vladimir Demikhov may have indirectly saved the lives of innumerable transplant survivors.

Vladimir Demikhov May Have Been Ahead of His Time

Despite the macabre nature of his experiments, Demikhov had a very good reason for conducting them. His goal was to help advance the science of organ transplants. But, ultimately, he wanted to save lives.

Vladimir Demikhov’s creativity began early. In 1937, when still a student at the University of Moscow, he invented a machine that could act in place of a heart and keep the body sustained with blood for up to five hours.

 It may not sound like much, but in those decades, this was a significant step forward.

During World War II, Demikhov was called to serve as a pathologist in a field hospital. 

Part of his job included evaluating injured soldiers to determine the cause of their injuries. You see, it was not uncommon for soldiers to shoot themselves to escape the front lines and spend the war in a hospital. 

The punishment for being caught faking an injury, however, was death. Demikhov saved many lives by lying about the nature of many soldiers’ self-inflicted injuries.

After the war, Demikhov returned to his experiments. By 1946, he managed to perform the transplantation of a heart and both lungs, which had never been done before. 

But then, during the 1950s, the Ministry of Health looked into Demikhov’s experiments and decided they were unethical. 

That could have been the end of Demikhov’s research; however, his boss at the Moscow Institute of Surgery was the chief army surgeon and thus was able to sidestep the ministry’s directive.

Demikhov continued on, and in 1953 he had his first successful coronary bypass surgery. It gained little attention. His first canine head transplant, which he performed the following year, got people’s attention. 

When the media caught wind of Demikhov’s unusual experiments, he immediately became the target of journalists, activists, and other medical professionals. His work, besides being seen as cruel, has no apparent possible real-world application.

However, others did see value in what Vladimir Demikhov was doing. As unsavory as his work may seem, his experiments were an important step toward figuring out how to carry out human transplants. 

Many of the techniques that he pioneered on dogs during the years of the Cold War have now become standard practice in hospitals around the world.

In 1967, the South African doctor Christian Barnard was the first to carry out a human-to-human heart transplant successfully. 

Years later, he acknowledged a debt of gratitude to Demikhov, saying, “I have always maintained that if there is a father of heart and lung transplantation, then Demikhov certainly deserves this title.”

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You've Probably Heard About The Scientist Who Created A Two-Headed Dog

If you have heard the name Vladimir Demikhov, it's probably for the  science fiction-sounding experiments he conducted, in which he transplanted the head of one  dog to another, in effect, creating a two-headed dog. According to Russia Beyond , by the time the Associated Press released the news of the Soviet doctor's experiments to the world in 1959, he had already been experimenting with these transplants for five years ... with mixed results. 

The most famous of these, at least in the West, is Demikhov's twenty-fourth attempt, which Life covered, appropriately enough, as "Russia's Two-Headed Dog." The article followed an operation in which Demikhov's team attached the head and forelegs of one dog to the neck of another. When the operation was completed "[both] heads could see, hear, smell, and swallow."

Unfortunately, the two dogs — Brodyaga and Shavka — only survived for four days, due to a vein in the neck receiving accidental damage. Most of Demikhov's dogs, in fact, barely made it to six days. The longest surviving canines managed to live for twenty-nine days after the operation, thus proving the concept that such transplants were possible. When explaining the failures of the transplants, Demikhov pointed out that it was always the transplant that gave out first: "[Even in our best case] it was the small head, not the host dog, that sickened first. Had we acted in time, we could have saved the host dog."

The real reason why you should've heard of him

The image of Demikhov adding transplanted dog heads does give the impression of an eccentric pursuing a pointless path. However, Vladimir Demikhov was actually blazing a genuine path of scientific inquiry, not science fiction , which he called "transplantology," or the study of organ transplants.

In an article for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery , Dr. Harris Schumacker lauds Demikhov as being the first person to "transplant an auxillary heart into the thorax of a warm-blooded animal, first to replace the heart with a homograft organ, first to carry out a pulmonary transplantation, and first to perform a complete heart and lung replacement." Even in the case of the two-headed dogs, there was an actual point to them, as Demikhov explained in the Life article: His tests revealed that the failure lies with the transplanted part, so a woman who was bothering him for a leg transplant, for instance, could now receive one with minimal risk: "The main problem will be joining the nerves so the woman can control her movements... But I am sure we can lick that problem too." 

While attaching human heads to new bodies still seems out of reach, according to Popular Science , the fact that we can take a beating heart and put it inside another person's body would have struck an early twentieth century scientist as fanciful. Now, it's perfectly possible.

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The Two-Headed Dog Experiment: Soviet Scientist who Grafted the Head of the dog onto another Dog

Vladimir Demikhov, a Soviet scientist and organ transplant pioneer, attached a small dog’s upper body to a large dog’s neck in 1959. While he had performed this procedure before (the first time was in 1954), this was the first time the entire procedure had been documented by LIFE magazine. Small dog Shavka was nine years old and large dog Brodyaga, a stray who was picked up in the streets by a dog catcher, was twelve years old.

The dogs were anesthetized prior to the surgery, and the areas to be bisected were shaved, the neck of Brodyaga and the midsection of Shavka. Demikhov and his team cut into Brodyaga’s neck, exposing his jugular vein, aorta, and cervical vertebrae. Then they cut into Shavka’s midsection, layer by layer, attaching small blood vessels to Brodyaga’s. Shavka’s spine was severed behind her shoulders, her lower body removed, and the main blood vessels and trachea were connected to his lungs. Shavka’s heart and lungs were removed as the final step. Her esophagus wasn’t attached to Brodyaga’s stomach, it was outside their bodies.

Both dogs recovered from the surgery and were able to move independently. Brodyaga could lap a few mouthfuls of water from a bowl, but the water ran down Shavka’s esophagus and down Shavka’s neck. Shavka received nutrients and oxygen from Brodyaga’s heart, which was pumping blood into her system. Shavka would bite the large dog’s ear as Brodyaga walked them around the yard. Brodyaga and Shavka died four days after the surgery. Their neck veins were strangled, resulting in their deaths.

The Russian surgeon performed 20 such experiments on dogs. One pair of dogs lived for 29 days, but most lived closer to a week. The majority of the dogs died from tissue rejection (when the recipient’s immune system recognizes transplanted tissue as foreign and destroys it). Today, immunosuppressive drugs are used to reduce the risk of tissue rejection. The experiments Demikhov conducted (mostly on dogs) included heart, lung, and heart-lung transplants. His work paved the way for human organ transplants, and some believe that human head transplantation will occur soon – for example, transplanting the head of a quadriplegic onto a functional donor body. Animal testing continues even today despite alternative methods. Animal rights groups are working hard to stop animal testing so that one day, as soon as possible, there won’t be any more animals suffering for humanity’s benefit.

Written by Benjamin Grayson

Former Bouquet seller now making a go with blogging and graphic designing. I love creating & composing history articles and lists.

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Vintage Everyday

Bring back some good or bad memories, may 1, 2022, the two-headed dog experiment: shavka and brodyaga, two soviet dogs became famous in history by becoming one.

9 comments:

what a disgusting piece of shit. the human race really deserves to rot in hell or whatever is out there for us. we should reject medication and operations. god I hope this guy and his team died a painful death.

Ffs ytfff, use ur exeprtise to solve actual problems instead of mutating animals u fuck

Please, no more post like this

Leave it to communists to commit such abominations and call it a good thing. Vladimir Demikhov is rotting in hell right this minute.

вы ошибаетесь, его работы помогут человечеству...

ur retarded

C'est horrible !!!!! Paix aux âmes de ces êtres innocents ! J'ai honte d'être de la même espèce que ces personnes sans coeur , sans remords , sans empathie . Laissez ces animaux tranquilles : ils ont bien plus de choses à nous apprendre vivants que morts !

в чем же ужас? а если бы у вас отказывало сердце, то вам тоже не стоило бы пересадить сердце от донора? это наука, призванная помочь людям

i be like shietttt dawgg......

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