Dr. Shires. At the time I returned, the chest procedure was in progress. The orthopedic procedure on the arm and the leg debridement were ready to be started. I scrubbed and performed the leg procedure.
Mr. Specter. What did you observe, if anything, as to the condition of Governor Connally's chest wound?
Dr. Shires. At the time I arrived, the chest wound had been debrided and was being closed. His general condition at that point was very good. He was receiving blood and the arm and leg wounds were being prepared for surgery.
Mr. Specter. Did you have any opportunity to observe the wound on his back?
Dr. Shires. Not at that time.
Mr. Specter. Did you have any opportunity to observe a wound on his chest?
Dr. Shires. Once again, not at that time—later, but not at that time.
Mr. Specter. Well, what did you observe at a later time concerning the wound on his back and on his chest?
Dr. Shires. Well, in part of his postoperative care, which was a large part of the treatment, we were concerned, of course, with all the wounds, and he had several chest wounds. These, at the time I saw them, had been debrided and were the site of draining, so that their initial appearance was completely altered by having had surgical debridement, so they were clean postsurgical wounds with drainage, at the time I first saw them.
Mr. Specter. Would their alteration and condition preclude you from giving an opinion as to whether they were points of entry or points of exit?