ART. 16] INEBRIATES. 50

time he may have agreed therein to remain; and if the person
against whom the petition may be filed shall be found by the
jury to be an habitual drunkard, incapable of taking care of him-
self, it shall be the duty of the court to appoint a committee of
such person, and such committee shall, with the written assent and
approbation of the court, have the power of confining such person
in any suitable institution, for such length of time, as the court
may, in writing, approve; but said committee, with the written
assent and approbation of the court, may at any time release from
confinement said habitual drunkard, and the period of confine-
ment of said habitual drunkard may, by the said committee, with
the written assent and approbation of the court, be from time
to time extended, for such period as may be necessary for his
complete reformation; and the words " habitual drunkard, " as
used in this section, shall be construed to embrace any person
who may be habitually addicted to the use of alcohol, opium,
cocaine, morphine or any other drag or intoxicant.

1894, ch. 247.

47A. Any inhabitant of this State, who is of kin to or a friend
of an habitual drunkard, as hereinafter defined, may petition the
circuit court of the county of the residence of such drunkard, or
the circuit 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 medi-
cal 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 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 addition thereto, the written agree-
ment of such habitual drunkard to take such treatment and obey
the rules of the institution 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 circumstances of such drunkard and of the petitioning