What source did you attribute the blood to at that time?
Dr. CARRICO. As it could have come from the head wound, and it certainly could have been a back wound, but there was no way to tell whether this blood would have come from a back wound and not from his head.

Mr. Specter.

What action did you next take then?
Dr. CARRICO. At that time the endotracheal tube was inserted, using a curved laryngoscopic blade, inserting an endotracheal tube, it was seen there were some contusions, hematoma to the right of the larynx, with a minimal deviation of the larynx to the left, and rugged tissue below indicating tracheal injury.
The tube was inserted past this injury, and the cuff inflater was connected to a Bennett machine which is a respiratory assistor using positive pressure.

Mr. Specter.

Will you describe briefly what you mean in lay terms by a cuffed endotracheal tube?
Dr. CARRICO. This is a plastic tube which is inserted into the trachea, into the windpipe, to allow an adequate airway, adequate breathing. The cuff is a small latex cuff which should prevent leakage of air around the tube, thus insuring an adequate airway.

Mr. Specter.

Will you continue, then, to describe what efforts you made to revive the President.
Dr. CARRICO. After the endotracheal tube was inserted and connected, I listened briefly to his chest, respirations were better but still inadequate.
Dr. Perry arrived, and because of the inadequate respirations the presence of a tracheal injury, advised that the chest tube was to be inserted, this was done by some of the other physicians in the room.
At the same time we had been getting the airway inserted Dr. Curtis and Dr. White were doing a cutdown, venous section using polyethylene catheters through which fluid, medicine and blood could be administered.

Mr. Specter.

Will you describe in lay language what you mean by a cut-down in relationship to what they did in this case?
Dr. CARRICO. This was a small incision over his ankle and a tube was inserted into one of his veins through which blood could be given, fluid.

Mr. Specter.

Is the general purpose of that to maintain a circulatory system?
Dr. CARRICO. Right.

Mr. Specter.

In wounded parties?
Dr. CARRICO. Yes.
(At this point, Representative Ford entered the hearing room.)

Mr. Specter.

Would you now proceed again to describe what else was done for the President in an effort to save his life?
Dr. CARRICO. Sure. Dr. Perry then took over supervision and treatment, and the chest tubes were inserted, another cutdown was done by Dr. Jones on the President's arm.
Fluid, as I said, was given, blood was given, hydrocortisone was given. Dr. Clark, the chief neurosurgeon, Dr. Bashour, cardiologist, was there or arrived, and a cardiac monitor was attached and although I never saw any electro-activity, Dr. Clark said there was some electrical activity of the heart which means he was still trying to--

Mr. Specter.

What is Dr. Clark's position in the hospital?
Dr. CARRICO. He is chief of the neurosurgery department and professor of the neurosurgery.

Mr. Specter.

Dr. Carrico, will you continue to tell us then what treatment you rendered the President?
Dr. CARRICO. When this electrocardiac activity ceased, close cardiac massage was begun. Using this, and fluids and airway we were able to maintain fairly good color, apparently fairly good peripheral circulation as monitored by carotid and radial pulses for a period of time. These efforts were abandoned when it was determined by Dr. Clark that there was no continued cardiac response. There was no cerebral response, that is the pupils remained dilated and fixed; there was evidence of anoxia.

Mr. Specter.

Will you describe in lay language what anoxia means?
Dr. CARRICO. No oxygen.

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