Mr. Specter. Now, what did you observe as to the condition of President Kennedy when you first saw him?
Dr. Carrico. He was on an ambulance cart, emergency cart, rather. His color was blue white, ashen. He had slow agonal respiration, spasmodic respirations without any coordination. He was making no voluntary movements. His eyes were open, pupils were seen to be dilated and later were seen not to react to light. This was the initial impression.
Mr. Specter. What was the status of his pulse at the time of arrival?
Dr. Carrico. He had no palpable pulse.
Mr. Specter. And was he making any movements at the time of arrival?
Dr. Carrico. No voluntary movements, only the spasmodic respirations.
Mr. Specter. Was any heartbeat noted at his arrival?
Dr. Carrico. After these initial observations we opened his shirt, coat, listened very briefly to his chest, heard a few sounds which we felt to be heartbeats and then proceeded with the remainder of the examination.
Mr. Specter. In your opinion was President Kennedy alive or dead on his arrival at Parkland.
Dr. Carrico. From a medical standpoint I suppose he was still alive in that he did still have a heartbeat?