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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. IV - Page 106« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Dr. Robert Roeder Shaw)

Mr. Specter.
Dr. SHAW. Yes; we have them here.
Mr. Specter.
May the record show we have available a viewer for the X-rays.
Dr. Shaw, would you, by use of the viewer, exhibit the X-rays of the Governor's chest to show more graphically that which you have heretofore described?
Dr. SHAW. This is the first X-ray that was taken, which was taken in the operating room with the Governor on the operating table, and at this time anesthetized. The safety pin that you see here is used, was used, to secure the tube which had been put between the second and third rib in expanding the Governor's lung.
We can dimly see also the latex rubber tube up in the chest coming to the apex of the chest.
The variations that we see from normal here are the fact that first, there is a great amount of swelling in the chest wall which we know was due to bleeding and bruising of the tissues of the chest wall, and we also see that there is air in the tissues of the chest wall here and here. It is rather obvious.
Mr. Specter.
When you say here and here, you are referring to the outer portions, showing on the X-ray moving up toward the shoulder area?
Dr. SHAW. Yes; going from the lower chest up to the region near the angle of the shoulder blade.
The honey framework of the chest, it is obvious that the fifth rib, we count ribs from above downward, this is the first rib, second rib, third rib, fourth rib, fifth rib, that a portion of this rib has been shattered, and we can see a few fragments that have been left behind.
Also the rib has because of being broken and losing some of its substance, has taken a rather inward position in relation to the fourth and the sixth ribs on either side.
Mr. Specter.
What effect was there, if any, on the upper portion of that rib?
Dr. SHAW. This was not noticed at the time of this examination, Mr. Specter. However, in subsequent examinations we can tell that there was a fracture across the rib at this point due to the rib being struck and bent.
Mr. Specter.
When you say this point, will you describe where that point exists on the X-ray?
Dr. SHAW. This is a point approximately 4 centimeters from its connection with the transverse process of the spine.
Mr. Specter.
And is the fracture, which is located there, caused by a striking there or by the striking at the end of the rib?
Dr. SHAW. It is caused by the striking at the end of the rib.
Mr. Specter.
Fine. What else then is discernible from the viewing of the X-ray, Dr. Shaw?
Dr. SHAW. There is a great amount of, we would say, obscuration of the lower part of the right lung field which we know from subsequent examination was due to blood in the pleural cavity and also due to a hematoma in the lower part of the right lower lobe and also a severe laceration of the middle lobe with it having lost its ability to ventilate at that time. So, we have both an airless lung, and blood in the lung to account for these shadows.
Mr. Specter.
Is there anything else visible from the X-ray which is helpful in our understanding of the Governor's condition?
Dr. SHAW. No; I don't think so.
Mr. Specter.
Would it be useful--As to that X-ray, Dr. Shaw, will you tell us what identifying data, if any, it has in the records of Parkland Hospital, for the record?
Dr. SHAW. On this X-ray it has in pencil John G. Connally.
Mr. Specter.
Is that G or C?
Dr. SHAW. They have a "G" November 22, 1963, and it has a number 218-922.
Mr. Specter.
Were those X-rays taken under your supervision?
Dr. SHAW. Yes, by a technician.
Mr. Specter.
And that is, in fact, the X-ray then which was taken of Governor Connally at the time these procedures were being performed?
Dr. SHAW. It is.
Mr. Specter.
Dr. Shaw, would any of the other X-rays be helpful in our understanding of the Governor's condition?
Dr. SHAW. I believe the only--perhaps showing one additional X-ray would
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