TESTIMONY OF HENRY MORTON. 99 



depend upon whether the original milk was a little heavier or a little 

 lighter to begin with ; this is a difficulty, however, simply limiting 

 the degree of precision in application and not the general principle, 

 and the proper margin being allowed, the indications are just as 

 reliable and just as good a foundation for a judgment or conclusion. 



Q. You have stated that there is not a fixed standard for milk 

 as for alcohol ; is there not a fixed standard of gravity for milk 

 accepted, or is it not fixed within certain limits ? A. It is accepted 

 within certain limits. 



Q. So far as the best knowledge and opinion goes among scientific 

 men, is there not a fixed standard of the specific gravity of milk ? 



(Objected to on the ground that the witness cannot state the best 

 opinions of scientific men, as it devolves on him to discriminate be- 

 tween those who are good and bad ; objection overruled ; excep- 

 tion.) 



A. I consider that the opinion of those scientific men who have 

 studied this subject, and written upon it, and who are free from 

 personal bias in relation to it, is to the effect that the normaldensity 

 of milk is above 1.029 at 60 Fahr. 



Q. Is the lactometer alone to be used as a means of distinguish- 

 ing milk from any other fluid of the same density? A. It is not, 

 any more than an alcoholometer, or similar instrument for determin- 

 ing the percentage of alcohol and water, is useful or is available for 

 discriminating between alcohol and any other liquid of like density 

 such as naphtha or the like. 



Q. You are acquainted with the general literature on the sub- 

 ject of milk ? A. I am. 



Q. What is the best opinion according to the best authorities 

 with regard to the use of the lactometer for detecting the watering 

 of milk? 



(Objected to on the ground that it calls upon this, witness to 

 discriminate between the authorities ; objection overruled ; ex- 

 ception.) 



A. It is that the lactometer is a reliable means for detecting the 

 adulteration of milk by the excessive addition of water ; no one, I 

 think, has ever claimed that the lactometer will detect the addition 

 of small quantities of water to milk ; but when these quantities 

 become considerable, 20 per cent, and more, then I believe that it 



