COMPENSATION 115 
avoid technical terms, speaking in the language 
of the court and jury, so that they may clearly 
understand him. If it be necessary to use tech- 
nical terms he should be sure himself to explain 
their meaning in order that the force of his testi- 
mony may be known. He should not attempt to 
impress the judge, the jury, or the spectators with 
his great knowledge and experience. If he at- 
tempts this he is quite likely to find himself ‘‘hoist 
with his own petard.’’? He blows himself up like 
a balloon, which the opposing counsel takes delight 
in puncturing. On the other hand, it is entirely 
right that the facts of experience be presented to 
the court. A veterinarian who has practiced for 
ten years, especially one who has been working 
under the directions of the Department of Agri- 
culture, in Oklahoma, is much more likely to know 
about the various phases of the Texas cattle fever 
than one who has been limited in experience to 
private practice in New England or northern New 
York. 
86. Duty to Prepare. No professional man 
should go upon the witness stand to testify as to 
a matter pertaining to his profession without tak- 
ing the precaution to see that he is well posted, 
according to the most recent knowledge of the pro- 
fession. The veterinarian should be familiar with 
the approved means of diagnosis, and with the 
later ideas in pathology, pertaining especially to 
that particular injury or disease which may be a 
subject of controversy, either directly or indi- 
rectly. It is an easy matter for an experienced 
lawyer, after a few hours reading of an approved 
textbook of medicine or surgery, to make the aver- 
