Dr. Peters. His circumference—yes—and it was probably, I would guess about 8 to 11 inches.
Mr. Specter. In width?
Dr. Peters. Yes.
Mr. Specter. Running in his waist area at the top of his hips up to the lower part of his chest?
Dr. Peters. I would estimate that it went from the lower part of his chest to the pelvic girdle. About this time it was noted also that he had no effective heart action, and Dr. Perry asked whether he should open the chest and massage the heart. In the meantime, of course, the tracheotomy had been done and completed and had been hooked on to apparatus for assisting his respiration.
Mr. Specter. And what action, if any, was taken on the open-heart massage?
Dr. Peters. It was pointed out that an examination of the brain had been done. Dr. Jenkins had observed the brain and Dr. Clark had observed the brain and it was pointed out to Dr. Perry that it appeared to be a mortal wound, and involving the brain, and that open-heart massage would probably not add anything to what had already been done, and that external cardiac massage is known to be as efficient as direct massage of the heart itself.
Mr. Specter. Was there any further treatment rendered to the President?
Dr. Peters. Yes, Dr. Perry began immediate external compression of the chest in an effort to massage the heart, even before he asked the question as to whether the thoracotomy should be done. As soon as there was a question as to whether there was a pulse or not, he immediately began external chest compression.
Mr. Specter. What other action was taken to aid the President, if any?