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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. III - Page 361« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Dr. Charles James Carrico)

Mr. Specter.
Was cardiac massage applied in this situation?
Dr. CARRICO. Yes, sir; it was, excellent cardiac massage.
Mr. Specter.
Were bloods administered to the President?
Dr. CARRICO. Yes, sir.
(At this point, Mr. Dulles entered the hearing room.)
Mr. Specter.
Dr. Carrico, was any action taken with respect to the adrenalin insufficiency of President Kennedy?
Dr. CARRICO. Yes, sir; he was given 300 milligrams of hydrocortisone which is an adrenal hormone.
Mr. Specter.
And what was the reason for the administration of that drug?
Dr. CARRICO. It was recalled that the President had been said to have adrenal insufficiency.
Mr. Specter.
Now, at what time was the death of the President pronounced, Doctor?
Dr. CARRICO. At 1 o'clock.
Mr. Specter.
Who pronounced the death of the President?
Dr. CARRICO. Dr. Clark, I believe.
Mr. Specter.
Was that a precise time fixed or a general time fixed for the point of death?
Dr. CARRICO. This was a general time, sir.
Mr. Specter.
What, in your opinion, was the cause of death?
Dr. CARRICO. The head wound, the head injury.
Mr. Specter.
Will you describe as specifically as you can the head wound which you have already mentioned briefly?
Dr. CARRICO. Sure.
This was a 5- by 71-cm defect in the posterior skull, the occipital region. There was an absence of the calvarium or skull in this area, with shredded tissue, brain tissue present and initially considerable slow oozing. Then after we established some circulation there was more profuse bleeding from this wound.
Mr. Specter.
Was any other wound observed on the head in addition to this large opening where the skull was absent?
Dr. CARRICO. No other wound on the head.
Mr. Specter.
Did you have any opportunity specifically to look for a small wound which was below the large opening of the skull on the right side of the head?
Dr. CARRICO. No, sir; at least initially there was no time to examine the patient completely for all small wounds. As we said before, this was an acutely ill patient and all we had time to do was to determine what things were life-threatening right then and attempt to resuscitate him and after which a more complete examination would be carried out and we didn't have time to examine for other wounds.
Mr. Specter.
Was such a more complete examination ever carried out by the doctors in Parkland?
Dr. CARRICO. No, sir; not in my presence.
Mr. Specter.
Why not?
Dr. CARRICO. As we said initially this was an acute emergency situation and there was not time initially and when the cardiac massage was done this prevented any further examination during this time this was being done. After the President was pronounced dead his wife was there, he was the President, and we felt certainly that complete examination would be carried out and no one had the heart, I believe, to examine him then.
Mr. Specter.
Will you describe, as specifically as you can then, the neck wounds which you heretofore mentioned briefly?
Dr. CARRICO. There was a small wound, 5- to 8-mm. in size, located in the lower third of the neck, below the thyroid cartilage, the Adams apple.
Mr. Dulles.
Will you show us about where it was?
Dr. CARRICO. Just about where your tie would be.
Mr. Dulles.
Where did it enter?
Dr. CARRICO. It entered?
Mr. Dulles.
Yes.
Dr. CARRICO. At the time we did not know
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