The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-05-27


the room of one of such commits
sioners; or, the commissioner pres
ent may call to his aid rcspectabl,
practicing physician or lawyer, wht
, after qualifying as in other cases
may act in the same capacity. The
record, in such cases, mnst show
the fact Of such absence.
Sec. 16. Before entering upor
the duties Of their office, the per
sogs so appointed shall take aud
subscribe an oath or affirmation to
support the constitution OF the
Uuited States and Of the State OF
Iowa, and to faithfully discharg
their duties according to law, as
such commissioners which obliga-
ton shall be filed with the clerk of
said court, who shall enter a MEM
orandum thereof on the records.
They shall organize by choosing
one of their number president.
They shall hold their meetings for
business at the Office Of tho clerk of
said court, unless, for good reasons,
they shall fix OIL same other place.
If they deem necessary or advisa-
bic, they may hold sessions at such
regular times as they may fix. They
shall also meet on notice from the
clerk. &- "..- .s"r ..
Sec. II. The term "clerk," as
herein used, means clerk of said
board Of commissioners, unless
otherwise expressed. The said
clerk shall sign and give or issue all
notices, appointments, warrants,
,subpenas or other process required
to be given or issued by the CON-
missioners, affixing thereto his seal
as clerk of said court. He shall file,
and carefully preserve in his office
all papers connected with any in
quest by the commissioners, and
properly belonging to his Office,
with all notices, reports and other
communications. lie shall keep
separate books in which to minute
the proceedings Of the board and
his entries therein shall be suffici-
emily full to show, with the papers
filed, q complete record of their find
ings, orders, and transactions. The
notices, reports and communica-
tions, herein required to be given
or made may be sent by mail, unless
otherwise expressed or implied;
and the fact and date of such send
ing, and Of their reception, must be
noted on the proper record.
Sec.,1o. The said commissioners
shall have cognizance of all appli-.
cations for admission to the hospit-
al, or for the safe keeping other
wise, Of insane persons within their
respective counties, excepting in
cases otherwise specially provided
for. For the purpose OF discharg-f
ing the duties required Of them,
they shall have power to issue sub
penas and compel obedience there
to, to administer oaths and do any
act Of u court necessary and proper
in the premises.
Sec. 10. Applications for admis-
sion to the hospital must be made
in writing, in the nature Of an in
formation, verified by affidavit.
Such information must allcge, that
the person i'll whose behalf the ap-
plicatlon is made, is believed by the
to be insane, and fit
subject for custody and treatment
in the hospital; that such person
is found in the county, and has q
|egal settlement therein, if such is
known to be the fect; and if such
is not in the county,
where it is, if known; or where it
IS believed to be, if the informant
IS advised On the subject.
Sec. 20. On the filing of an in
as above provided, the
commissioners shall at once take
steps to inve. .;tigate the grounds of
he information. For this purpose,
hey may require that the person
or whom such admission is sought,
De brought before them, and that
he examination be had in his or
ler presence 7; and they may issue
heir warrant therefor, and provide
'or the suitable custody Of such
person until their Investigation
shall be concluded. Such warrant
nay be executed by the sheriff or
my constable Of the county or,
+ they shall be of opinion, from
such preliminary inquiries as they
nay make-and in making which,
hey shall take the testimony of
The informant, if they deem neces-
'ary or desirable, and of other wit
lesses, if otfered-that such course
would probably be injurious to such
oerson, or attended with no adyan-
age, they may dispense with such
presence. In their examination
hey shall hear testimony for and
against such application, if any is
offered. Any citizen Of the county,
'r any relative Of the person alleg-
d to be insane, may appear and re-
'ist the application, and the parties
may appear by counsel, ii they
elect. The commissioners, wheth-
er they decide to dispense with the
presence before them of such per-
son or not, shall appoint some reg
,lar practicing physician Of the
to visit or see such person,
and make personal examination
the truth of the allega-
ions in the information, aud touch