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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VIII - Page 314« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Capt. George Donabedian)

Mr. Ely.
Captain DONABEDIAN. Most of the doctors use this. They may take a smear, and they find that--intra and extracellular diplococci, they treat the patient for gonorrhea.
Now, the treatment for his micrococcus pyogenous is "continue chloromycetin," I guess it is four times a day. Yes; it was four times a day. And then continue four times a day. And something was given. And they wanted him to return again. I cannot tell what this is. Instructions, probably. Some instructions were given.
On September 29, 1958, the complaint was urethral discharge. They took a smear. And that was--"many pus cells were noted, no organisms were noted."
The note underneath is "good response to therapy, has been doing much heavy lifting." They must have given him light duty for 3 days. "To repeat smear, 1 week."
October 6, 1958, the complaint was unrethral discharge. They took a smear. The report was "moderate amount of pus cells, few gram positive cocci."
This is not gonorrhea. "Heavy discharge with occasional burning. Has been doing heavy lifting recently."
"Some heavy discharge with occasional burning of the urination"--although this says dysurea---"has been doing heavy lifting recently."
October 24, 1958, the complaint was unrethral discharge, and they gave him pyridium, one tablet five times a day-one gram five times a day.
No--"return in 5 days."
They just gave him pyridium, and "d" means to duty, and return in 5 days.
"Smear, few pus cells, some mucus threads noted, occasional gram positive cocci noted."
The next date is hard to tell. Something--"qid for for 5 days."
The next thing is hard to tell.
Mr. Ely.
All right. That entry is illegible.
Captain DONABEDIAN. Page 156. He was admitted to the sick list, 9-16-58, diagnosis, "urethritis acute due to gonococcus." This is No. 0303. And in handwriting ----
Mr. Ely.
That is my handwriting, so we will disregard that.
Captain DONABEDIAN. The chief complaint is urethral discharge. "Present illness. Patient complains of a slight discharge and a stinging sensation on urination. Past history--previous venereal disease. Physical examination, essentially negative, except for thick mucco burn discharge from the urethra. Laboratory. Smear reveals gram negative intra-and extra- cellular diplococci having a morphology resembling gonorrhea."
Unless they took a culture to grow the germ out, they could not absolutely be certain.
Mr. Ely.
You mentioned that under this previous history column it mentioned "previous VD." Does that mean that Oswald had had it prior to this time?
Captain DONABEDIAN. At another time, in his past, whenever that would be. It could have been while he was in the service, although we didn't notice in these records. But he could have had it before he came in the service. VD could be any venereal disease. There are five different kinds.
Mr. Ely.
But you have not seen any reference in his medical records to any prior case during his military career?
Captain DONABEDIAN. No; except those that we reported within those dates. Treatment was procaine penicillin, 900,000 units, intramuscularly for 3 days.
Now, you remember when we read the other report it looked like 400,000 units. It is most apt to be 900,000 units.
Mr. Ely.
It should be noted page 156 contains typewriting rather than handwriting as the other one did. And I believe this entry on page 156 is something of a summary.
Captain DONABEDIAN. This is a summary. He was admitted on 9-16-58, and discharged on the same day. But they readmitted these VD cases for statistical purposes, so we can keep track of how many people have been in contact with this. And he was sent to duty under treatment and observation.
Mr. Ely.
Would it be fair to say, Doctor, summarizing your testimony as to these few pages, that this looks, as far as we can tell, like a typical case of gonorrhea?
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