The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-05-11

said county or City of Baltimore to such
institution for the medical treatment of
drunkenness as the said court may
designate. Which petition shall set
forth the name, age and condition of
such habitual drunkard, and that such
drunkard or those of his kin petitioning
are not financially able to incur the eX-
pense of his cure, and shall set forth
that said drunkard is willing and will
agree to attend such institution for the
cure of drunkenness; which petition
shall be verified by the person making
such request, and shall contain in addl-
ton thereto the written agreement of
such habitual drunkard to take such
treatment and obey the rules of the in
stitution administering the same, and
the names of three taxpayers in the
county of his residence, or of Baltimore
CITY, if he resides therein, stating that
they are familiar with the facts set
forth in the petition, and that they are
familiar with the financial circum-
stances of such drunkard and of the
petitioning kin, and think it a proper
case for assistance from the county
wherein the said habitual drunkard re-
sides, or Baltimore city if he resides
therein.
Sec. 2. When such petition is filed,
any Judge of the Circuit Courts referred
to in Section l, shall, if satisfied from
examination. that the facts set forth in
the petition are true and that the said
drunkard has been a resident of the
county or of Baltimore city for six
months next preceding the application,
and that such drunkard of his own free
will desires to take such treatment, send
IoI ;+,1o1 10 r1 tn StItI1-
ton for the cure of drunkenness; pro-
vided said institution is located in the
State of Maryland, and that the man
ayers of such institution will agree to
treat such patient for sum not to eX-
coed 500; but such court shall not be
compelled to send such habitual drunk
ard to any institution making lower
bid than the sum herein specified, I'M
less in their Judgment the best interest
of such drunkard shall be promoted
thereby, and the said judge of the Cir
cult Court shall thereupon make an Or
der that the expense of such treatment
be paid out of the treasury of the county
or City of Baltimore, as the case may be,
in the same manner that other claims
against such county or City of Baltimore
for the administration of justice are
paid, provided that no county or the
CITY of Baltimore shall be required to
send the same habitual drunkard TO any
institution for the medical treatment OF
drunkenness a second time at Its eX-
pense.
Sec. 8. No provision of this act shall
be at any time construed as IN any way
abrogating, limiting or abolishlng the
powers of judges of Circuit Courts under
Section AZ, Article Is of the Code of
NJ 7 q
committal of inebriates.
Sec. 4. The officers of whatever insti-
buttons may be designated for the treat
ment of the habitual drunkards, pay
ment for whose cure is provided by this
act, shall become sworn officers of the
court committing said habitual drunk
ards to their care, and shall have power
to enforce such reasonable rules as may
be necessary for the administration OF
treatment to the patient provided for
and created by this ACT, but they shall
receive no fee or compensation from
any county or the City of Baltimore
other than the sum provided and lin
tied by Section of this act.
Sec. 5. A drunkard as mentioned in
the foregoing sections of this act shall
be deemed to include any person who
has acquired the habit of using spirit
uous, malt or fermented liquors, cocaine
or or other narcotics to such degree as
to deprive him or her of reasonable self
control.
Sec. 6. And be it enacted, That this act
shall take effect from the date Of its
passage.
Approved April 8, 1894.
FRANK BROWN, Governor.
JOHN WALTER SMITH,
President of the Senate.
JAMES n PRESTON