526 Poisoning Cases of last Half-Century. [September, 
which occurred constantly at other places. The leaders of 
the medical profession in the School of Medicine at Leeds 
had set an admirable example for many years past of truth 
and candour, and straightforwardness in the witness-box, 
and he was happy to see that their example was being fol- 
lowed by the younger members of the profession. When a 
man really tried to tell the truth, the whole truth, and 
nothing but the truth, in plain and simple language, not- 
withstanding what consequences might be drawn from it, 
or whether he was called on one side or the other, bullyings 
in Court and things of that 'kind ceased at once.” We can- 
not help feeling, with a correspondent of the “ Journal of 
Science,” that in these remarks Mr. justice Stephen takes 
a one-sided view of the case, and that, though possibly 
without such intention, has gravely wronged the medical 
profession, and other men of Science whose misfortune it 
may be to have to give evidence in a court of justice. That 
experts have occasionally been deficient in truth and candour 
we admit ; but we must at the same time maintain that 
counsel often seek to prevent the truth, the whole truth, and 
■nothing but the truth from being told, if they believe that it 
may tell against their clients. Instances of this kind may 
be found in the book before us. 
The expert, “ called ” by one side or the other, is strongly 
tempted to become a partizan. He holds an anomalous and 
unrecognised position between that of a witness and an ad- 
vocate, and unless he be a man of sterling integrity he is 
tempted to follow the example of counsel by the suppressio 
veri and the suggestio falsi. He cannot help knowing that 
if he contributes in any marked manner to the success of 
“ his side,” his reputation and emoluments are increased. 
Even if he eschews all such considerations, and adheres 
absolutely to the truth without fear or favour, he is treated 
by the “ opposite side ” as a hostile partizan. So unpleasant 
is this position that it is recognised among men of Science 
as a difficult task to come out of the witness-box without 
injury to their credit and without having received insults for 
which no redress is possible. Hence, among scientific men, 
the general opinion is that the expert should be the adviser 
of the Court, not called by either side, and consequently 
free from all suspicion of partizanship, since acquittal or 
conviction would be to him alike. 
If we glance over Tawell’s case we cannot fail to see how 
much it would have been simplified had Mr. Cooper, as 
Assessor of the Court, been empowered to dismiss at once 
as an absurdity Sir Fitzroy Kelly’s theory of the prussic 
