Mr. Ruby.

Very good, except--may I be very honest?

Mr. Herndon.

Of course.

Mr. Ruby.

What is the preference of the doctor being here? Is he supposed to be my doctor, I mean Dr. Beavers?

Mr. Herndon.

Mr. Specter, do you want to answer that?

Mr. Specter.

Yes; Mr. Ruby, he is here at the request of Mr. Tonahill, and I believe concurred in, by your chief counsel, Mr. Fowler.

Mr. Herndon.

The reason I asked you about your health, Mr. Ruby, obviously I don't want to proceed with this interrogation of the polygraph type when you obviously may not feel well physically today. I wouldn't want to subject you to the examination unless you felt well enough to take it, and I will ask you some very general questions about your health in regard to your history in that regal.
Have you every had any respiratory diseases or illness such as asthma or trouble with breathing, Mr. Ruby?

Mr. Ruby.

None whatever.

Mr. Herndon.

Any sinus condition or trouble?

Mr. Ruby.

No.

Mr. Herndon.

Have you ever had any heart ailments?

Mr. Ruby.

No, sir.

Mr. Herndon.

No heart trouble to your knowledge.

Mr. Ruby.

[No response.]

Mr. Herndon.

Mr. Ruby, have you had any medication of any type whatsoever today, such as tranquilizers, aspirin, any drugs at all today?

Mr. Ruby.

None whatsoever.

Mr. Herndon.

While you've been here in custody, have you been under any medication?

Mr. Ruby.

None whatever.

Mr. Specter.

Mr. Herndon, at this time I shall administer the oath to Mr. Ruby.

Mr. Ruby.

You want me to send up?

Mr. Specter.

Yes, sir; if you would please. As assistant counsel, I have the authority under the law to administer an oath to you for proceedings in the nature of depositions.
Do you solemnly swear that the answers and information you shall give in this proceeding before the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Mr. Ruby.

I do.

Mr. Specter.

Have the answers you have heretofore given in response to the informal questions already asked of you been the truth, sir?

Mr. Ruby.

Repeat that again?

Mr. Specter.

Have the answers which you have already given in response to the informal questions put to you by Mr. Herndon and others here, are they all true?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes, about my health--are all true--yes.

Mr. Specter.

All right, Mr. Herndon, will you proceed.

Mr. Herndon.

Yes. Thank you.
I understand, Mr. Ruby, that you have had your lunch today, is that correct I want to make sure you have had a chance to eat.

Mr. Ruby.

Yes, I did.

Mr. Herndon.

When did you eat, how long ago?

Mr. Ruby.

I would guess approximately 12:30.

Mr. Herndon.

You've had no digestive problems while you've been here?

Mr. Ruby.

No.

Mr. Herndon.

Have you had any coffee today--these are questions that will help us later on?

Mr. Ruby.

One early in the morning.

Mr. Herndon.

Early in the morning?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Herndon.

Did you have more than one cup?