APPENDIX. 



observation of these and other rules of the same kind prac- 

 tically establishes a wide distinction, and one which is easily 

 recognized between those who exercise a noble profession 

 and those who disgrace it. 



The treatment of a veterinary witness, in passing through 

 the ordeal of an examination, will depend very much upon 

 the class of counsel who is opposed to him. Assuming that 

 he is properly prepared for the discharge of his duties, and 

 that the questions put to him are answered fairly and truly, 

 according to his knowledge and experience, without exag- 

 geration or concealment, he has no reason to fear any 

 attempt at intimidation. Barristers, for the most part, know 

 that by this line of conduct they lose more with the jury 

 than they gain by the attempt to confuse the witness ; and 

 as their ultimate and sole object is a favourable verdict, they 

 will generally avoid conduct which must necessarily place 

 this verdict in jeopardy. 



The normal barrister, as depicted by Mr. Fitzjames 

 Stephen, is not at liberty, in his address to the jury, to 

 misrepresent, either by distortion or suppression, the medical 

 facts or opinions given in a case. According to my experi- 

 ence, however, misrepresentation is a not unfrequent practice, 

 and one of which veterinary witnesses have very strong 

 reason to complain. Whether such misstatements are wilful 

 or not it may be difficult to determine, but their effect on 

 the jury is well known to those who employ them ; and they 

 frequently escape the observation of the counsel on the other 

 side, and even of the learned judge, unless he is well versed 

 in veterinary subjects. It is also worthy of remark, that if a 

 misstatement is thus made, it is, by a remarkable coincidence, 

 always in favour of the view of the counsel who makes it, 

 when a proper examination of his notes would, in general, 

 show him that he was wrong. 



Then, as to the question of intimidation, this is sometimes 

 carried very far. " On your oath, sir, and in the face of the 



