24 TESTIMONY OF JOHN BLAKE WHITE. 



COUNSEL FOB DEFENDANT I simply ask that he be allowed to test 

 that before the jury, just as he tests fluids which he supposes to be 

 milk. I propose to ask that gentleman what he can tell from his taste. 

 The Board of Health proposes this method, and we wish to inves- 

 tigate it. 



COUNSEL FOE PEOPLE We must be sure that it is milk from a 

 healthy cow. 



The COURT I think there is something in the objection. It 

 may be a very unsafe proceeding what you propose to do. How 

 can the jury know, and how can we tell, without going deeply into 

 chemistry or some of the natural sciences, but that you may manu^ 

 facture and put together certain elements which are not milk ? 



COUNSEL FOB DEFENDANT I propose to ask that gentleman to 

 take that fluid and apply the same test to it that he did to the fluid 

 in the store of the accused. If he object to taste it, I won't insist 

 on that. 



WITNESS The taste forms a very important part, and I would 

 object to tasting it. 



COUNSEL FOB THE PEOPLE The purpose as announced by the 

 learned counsel, and the reason given for not stating what that fluid 

 is his object is to endeavor- to institute an examination which I 

 think the Court will rule out as entirely immaterial and irrelevant. 

 The question is not if the witness should find some other substance 

 in the store of the accused, that he should report it to the Board 

 of Health. 



COUNSEL FOB DEFENDANT I want to demonstrate how imperfect 

 this test is. 



The COUBT If you are going to prove that that is milk, I will 

 let you proceed. I do not say that I will reject the evidence finally. 



COUNSEL FOB DEFENDANT I do not want to put the witness on 

 his guard. 



The COURT I will think more about it. It seems to me it 

 would be opening the door on a critical point which might be dan- 

 gerous and perhaps wrong. 



By COUNSEL FOB DEFENDANT Q. Now, doctor, you have before 

 you a lactometer as used by the Board of Health ? A. Yes, sir. 



Q. You have also a glass jar as used by the Board of Health in 

 which milk is usually tested ? A. Yes, sir. 



