AET. 59] VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT. 1427

the purpose; they shall also make entries from time to time of the
mental condition of such patient or person so confined.

1904, art. 59, sec. 34. 1888, art. 59, sec. 34. 1886, ch. 487, sec. 36.

34. The said lunacy commission shall be vested with all the func-
tions and powers of law now in force relating to the office and duties of
coroner in so far as the same may relate to cases of death occurring in
any institution in this State where insane persons are kept.
As to coroners, see art. 22.

Ibid. sec. 35. 1888, art. 59, sec. 35. 1886, ch. 487, sec. 36.

35. Every person confined in such places as are hereinbefore men-
tioned shall be furnished at all times with paper, envelopes, stamps,
pen and ink or pencil; shall at all times have access by correspondence
with the lunacy commission and some one other person whom such
lunatic may designate every month under seal, which communication
shall be forwarded by the officer, superintendent or keeper who may
be in charge of such person or place; and any such officer, superin-
tendent or keeper who shall fail to forward such communication shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject
to a fine or imprisonment, in the judgment of the court before which such
case may be tried.

Ibid. sec. 36. 1888, art. 59, sec. 36. 1886, ch. 487, sec. 37.

36. The detention of any person in any one of the said places or
receptacles for the insane without compliance with these regulations
shall be a misdemeanor on the part of such person so violating such
regulations and such person shall also be liable for damages.

Ibid. sec. 37. 1888, art. 59, sec. 37. 1886, ch. 487, sec. 38.
1910, ch 715, sec 37 (p. 189).

37. The medical superintendent or chief officer of any institution,
hospital, home or retreat for the insane, except almshouses, may receive
and detain therein for purposes of care and treatment at the expense
of such persons, or the expense of the relative or friends, any one who
is desirous of submitting himself for treatment and makes application
therefor in writing. No such person shall be detained for more than
three days after having given notice of his or her desire and intention
to leave such institution, unless such person shall in the meantime have
been legally committed upon and after due notice to him or her on the
request of his or her relatives or friends, in accordance with section
31 of this article regulating the commitment and detention of the
insane in hospitals and asylums; nor shall any person be received or
detained as a voluntary patient whose mental condition is such, or
becomes such, that such person cannot comprehend the act of voluntary
commitment, or be able to request his or her discharge, or give con-
tinuous assent to detention. Every such voluntary patient so admitted
shall be reported to the lunacy commission, as provided in cases legally