1900. ] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 545

or friends, or if requested by the Board of County Com-
missioners of the county in which the alleged lunatic or
insane person reside, or by the Supervisors of the City
Charities of the Department of Charities and Corrections
of the city of Baltimore, if said person resides therein,
the Circuit Court for the county in which such person
may reside, or the Criminal Court of Baltimore, (if such
person resides in the city of Baltimore) shall cause a
jury of twelve good and lawful men to be empanel-
led forthwith, and shall charge the said jury to
inquire whether such person is insane or lunatic
and if found so, it shall be the duty of the County Com-
missioners or the Supervisors of City Charities of the De-
partment of Charities and Corrections of Baltimore city to
cause such person to be sent to the Almshouse of the
county or city to which he belongs, or to an hospital, or
to some other place better suited to his condition, there
to be confined at the expense of the county or city
until he shall have recovered and be discharged in due
course of Jaw. It shall be the duty of any Board of
County Commissioners and the Supervisors of the City
Charities of the Department of Charities and Correc-
tions of the city of Baltimore, before whom any
such alleged lunatic or insane person is brought for
commitment, under this section, if not satisfied that
such person is lunatic or insane as defined in section
3 of this Article, to notify the State's Attorney of
said county or city, and he shall immediately thereupon
bring the said question before the Circuit Court of the
said county, or the Criminal Court of Baltimore city, for
the determination in accordance with the provisions of
this section. Nothing contained in this section shall
prevent the friends or relatives of such lunatic or insane
person from confining him or providing for his comfort.

3. No person shall be deemed entitled to the benefit of
the preceding sections who shall possess or be entitled to
receive sufficient income for his maintenance and support
as a patient in any home, retreat, or hospital for the in-
sane in this State, or who lias relatives or others legally
chargeable for the support of the said person who
are able to pay for the maintenance and support of the
said person as a patient at any home, retreat or hospital
for the insane in this State. The County Commissioners
35