Dr. Mcclelland.

In addition to that, of course, while we were working on the tracheotomy incision, the other physicians that I have mentioned were attaching the President rapidly to a cardiac monitor, that is to say, an electrocardiogram, for checking the presence of cardiac activity, and in addition, chest tubes were being placed in the right and left chest---both, as I recall.

Mr. Specter.

Do you recall who was placing those tubes?

Dr. Mcclelland.

One of the tubes, I believe, was placed by Dr. Peters. The other one, I'm not right certain, I don't really recall---I perhaps better not say.

Mr. Specter.

Do you know about how long that took in placing those chest tubes?

Dr. Mcclelland.

As well as I am aware, the tubes were both placed in. What this involves is simply putting a trocar, a large hollow tube, and that is put into the small incision, into the anterior chest wall and slipping the tube into the chest between a group of ribs for purposes of relieving any collection of air or fluid which is present in the lungs. The reason this was done was because it was felt that there was probably quite possibly a mediastinal injury with perhaps suffusion of blood and sir into one or both pleural cavities.

Mr. Specter.

What effect did this medical treatment have on President Kennedy?

Dr. Mcclelland.

As near as we could tell, unfortunately, none. We felt that from the time we saw him, most of us agreed, all of us agreed rather, that this was a mortal wound, but that in spite of this feeling that all attempts possible should be made to revive him, as far as establishing the airway breathing for him, and replacing blood and what not, but unfortunately the loss of blood and the loss of cerebral and cerebellar tissues were so great that the efforts were of no avail.

Mr. Specter.

Was he conscious at that time that you saw him?

Dr. Mcclelland.

No.

Mr. Specter.

And, at what time did he expire?

Dr. Mcclelland.

He was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. on November 22.

Mr. Specter.

What was the cause of death in your opinion?

Dr. Mcclelland.

The cause of death, I would say, would be massive head injuries with loss of large amounts of cerebral and cerebellar tissues and massive blood loss.

Mr. Specter.

Did you observe anything in the nature of a wound on his body other than that which you have already described for me?

Dr. Mcclelland.

No.

Mr. Specter.

In what position was President Kennedy maintained from the time you saw him until the pronouncement of death ?

Dr. Mcclelland.

On his back on the cart.

Mr. Specter.

On his what?

Dr. Mcclelland.

On his back on the stretcher.

Mr. Specter.

Was he on the stretcher at all times?

Dr. Mcclelland.

Yes.

Mr. Specter.

In the trauma room No. 1 you described, is there any table onto which he could be placed from the stretcher?

Dr. Mcclelland.

No; generally we do not move patients from the stretcher until they are ready to go into the operating room and then they are moved onto the operating table.

Mr. Specter.

Well, in fact, was he left on the stretcher all during the course of these procedures until he was pronounced dead?

Dr. Mcclelland.

That's right.

Mr. Specter.

Then, at any time was he positioned in a way where you could have seen the back of his body?

Dr. Mcclelland.

No.

Mr. Specter.

Did you observe any gunshot wound on his back?

Dr. Mcclelland.

No.

Mr. Specter.

Have you had discussions with the other doctors who attended President Kennedy as to the possible nature of the wound which was inflicted on him?

Dr. Mcclelland.

Yes.

Mr. Specter.

And what facts did you have available either to you or to the