The merits of the case are involved in a single enquiry submitted to the jury: “ Did the defendant by fraud or undue influence wrongfully obtain from thе *206 plaintiff’s intestate the note sued on ? And to this the jury responded in the affirmative.
During the trial many witnesses were examined as to the mental condition and capacity of the intestate, two of whom were present when the alleged surrender was made, and testified that the intestate fully understood what he was doing. Doctor Beverly Jones, introduced by thе plaintiff, testified that he was a regular practicing physician of thirty years standing and attended the deceasеd in his last illness. He explained the nature of his disease and its usual effect upon the brain and mental faculties, and еxpressed the opinion that he was incapacitated to understand or engage in any business transaction fоr a period preceding his death, during which the defendant obtained possession of his note.
Several instructions were asked by the defendant’s counsel, all of which were given, and among them one in these words: “In determining the condition of Daniel Speace’s mind, much weight should be attached to the actions and conduct of said Speaсe at the time of the alleged delivery of the note in controversy to the defendant,” to which His Honor added, “ thе law likewise attaches peculiar importance to the opinion of medical men who have the оpportunity of observation upon a question of mental capacity, as by study and experience in the рractice of their profession they become experts in the matter of bodily and mental ailments.” Two objеctions are. offered to this part of the charge, in that:
1. It does not sufficiently appear that Dr. Jones possessed those qualifications required in an expert so as to give additional force to his opinion.
2. That the language conveys an expression of opinion as io the weight of the evidence.
We think the charge obnoxious to neither objection. An expert is definеd by Worcester, following Burrill, as “aper-son having skill, experience or peculiar knowledge on cer *207 tain subjects or in certain professions;” and by Bouvier, ns “ one instructed by experienceThe court must decide whether the witness has had the necessary, experience to enable him to testify as an‘expert. But the value of his opinion whеn admissible must be determined by the jury alone, and depends upon the opportunities he has had for acquiring skill and knowledge, and the use he has made of those opportunities. If a regular and continuous practice in his profеssion for thirty years does not entitle the witness to be regarded as an expert, or experienced physician, it is difficult to conceive what would do so.
Nor do we consider the criticism upon the language of the judge as invading the province of the jury, well founded. Mere opinions predicated upon the testimom7 of others when they proceed from those who have special skill and experience in a profession or employment, are competent and proper to be heard by the jury and are often valuable aids in conducting them to a correct conclusion. There are, however, hypothetical opinions only, dependent upon the fullness and accuracy of the facts to which they apply for thеir value, and it is to this kind of evidence that the disparaging remarks quoted by the defendant’s counsel from certain law writеrs are mainly directed. ' But the opinion of a well instructed and experienced medical man upon a mattеr within the scope of his profession, and based on personal observation and knowledge, is and ought to be сarefully considered and weighed by the jury in rendering their verdict; and this substantially is the comment of the court.
A few cases will bе referred to for the purpose of illustration: In
State
v.
Ellington,
7 Ire., 61, the mother and sister of the prisoner had been examined оn his behalf, and referring to their testimony the court told the jury, that it was for them to say whether those witnesses had testified truly, notwithstаnding their relation to the prisoner, or had yielded to that human infirmity, to which we are liable, and had
*208
testified falsely in favоr of their son and brother.” Reviewing the charge, the court say: “ His Honor did not express an opinion upon any faсt in controversy, but merely applied a
rule of law
to an admitted fact.” In
State
v.
Nash,
8 Ire., 35, the court charged “that the law regarded with suspicion the testimony of near relations when testifying for each other, and that it was the province of the jury to consider and decide on the weight due to the testimony,” and it was declared not to be error. So it was held in
State
v.
Nat,
It cannot admit of question that the opinion of the medical exрert who attended the deceased during his last fatal illness and must have become familiar with his disease and its effeсts upon both body and mind, should have greater weight and possess a higher value in determining his mental as well as physical condition than the opinion of an unprofessional man. As this is the dictate of common reason it was not improper in the judge to say so. The charge manifestly refers to the opinion itself as evidence in the cause, and not to the credibility of the witness who gives the opinion. The credit due to the witness belongs to the jury to determine and with them it is left.
No error. Affirmed.