The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-05-12
pUBLIc GENERAL LAWS.
CHAPTER 2I7.
An Act to Provide for the Treatment and Cnre
of Habtual Dninkards.

CHAPTER 2i7.
An Act to Provide for the Treatment and Cnre
of Habitual Dunkards.
SECTION |. BE IL enacted by the General
assembly Of Maryland, That any inhabitant
of this State who is of kin to or a friend of
an habtual drnnkard Ms hereinafter defined,
may petition the Circuit Court of the county
Of the residence OF such drnnkard or the Cir,
cult Court of Baltimore city if said habitual
drunkard resides therein, for leave to send
such drunkard at the expense of 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 expense of
his cure, and shall set forth that said drunk
ard is willing and will agree to attend such
institution for the cure of drunkenness; which
petition shall be verified by the person max
ing such request, and shall contain in addi-
lion thereto the written agreement of such
habilual drunkard to take such treatment and
obey the rules of the institution administer
ing the same, and the names of three tax
payers 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 circumstances of such
drunkard and ofthe petitioning kin, and think
it proper case for assistance from the
County wherein the said habtual drunkard
resides, or Baltimore City if he resides therein.
SECTION =. When such petition is filed,
any Judge of the Circuit Courts referred to in
section one, shall, if satisfied from examina.
ton, that the facts set forth in the petition
are true and that the said drunkard has been
resident of the County or of Baltimore City
for six months next preceding the application,
and that such drnnkard OF his own free will
desires to take such treatment, send such
habitual drunkard to some institution for the
cure of drunkenness; provided said institution
is located in the State of Maryland and that
the managers of such Institutions will agree
to treat such patient for sum not to exceed
500, but such Court shall not be compelled
TO send such habitual drunkard to any nsti-
tuition making lower bid than the sum herein
specified, unless in their judgment the best
interest of such drunkard shall be promoted
thereby, and the said Judge of the Circuit
shall thereupon make an order that the
expense of such treatment he 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 10 send the
same habitual drunkard to any Institution for
the medical treatment of drunkenness n sec
ond time at its expense.
SECTION g. No provision of this act shall
be at any time construed as in any way abro
gazing. limiting or abolishing the powers of
Jndges of Circuit Courts under Section A.,
Article 10 of the Code Of Public General
Laws providing for the committal of inebr-
ates.
SECTION 4. The officers of whatever insti-
tntions may be designated for the treatment
of the habiiual drunkards. payment for whose
cure is provided by this act, shall become
sworn officers of the Court committing said
habilual druuknrds 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 snail receive no
fee or compensation from any County or the
CITY of Baltimore, other than the sum pre-
vded and limited by Section of tins Act
SECTION A dTunkard as mentioned IN
the foregoing sections of this act shall be
deemed to include any person who has ae.
auired the habit of using spiTituous, malt or
termented liquors, cocaine or other narcotics
to such n degree us to deprive him or her of
reasonable self control.
SEC. q. And be enacted, That this act
shall take effect from the date of its passage.
APPROVED April 3. 1894.
FRANK BROWN, Governor.
JOHN WALTER SMITH,
President of the Senate.
JAMES II. PRESTON,
Speaker OF the House of Delegates.
We hereby certify that the aioregoing is u
correct copy OF an Act ofthe General Assem-
bly, of Maryland, passed January Session.
1894. j. ROGER MGSHERR4,
Secretary of the Senate.
B. l.. SMITH,
Chief Clerk of the House of Delegates.