188 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

an examination of all the records and methods of administra-
tion as relate to patients, the general and special dietary and
treatment of any patients confined therein, especially where
admitted since the preceding visit, giving such as may desire
it suitable opportunity to converse with the visitors privately,

21. It shall be mandatory upon the officers or others in
charge of such institutions under the supervision of the Com-
mission to furnish all information that may be requested by
said Commission or its secretary, and give free access to any
member thereof and to the secretary of said Commission to
visit the insane or feeble-minded in their keeping; any refusal
to do so on the part of anyone shall be a misdemeanor, pun-
ishable by fine or imprisonment, in the discretion of the court
in which the case may be tried. Any member of the Commis-
sion or its secretary may visit any sanitarium or other institu-
tion where sick or infirm persons are received, cared for or
treated, for compensation or free, for the purpose of ascertain-
ing whether insane persons are confined therein without au-
thority and contrary to the provisions of the law. All persons
having charge of and connected with any such sanitarium or
institution shall permit any member of the Commission or its
secretary to have full access to any portion thereof, and shall
give such information and afford such facilities for the inspec-
tion and inquiry as the member of the Commission or its secre-
tary making such visit may require.

22. The Lunacy Commission is empowered by this Act to
issue compulsory process for the attendance of witnesses and
the production of papers, to administer oaths and examine per-
sons under oath, and exercise the same powers as belong to a
justice of the peace in all cases where, from evidence laid be-
fore them, there is reason to believe that any person is wrong-
fully deprived of his or her liberty, or had been cruelly, im-
properly or negligently treated in any place or institution or
almshouse; but in all cases in which said Commission shall
take action or determine any question affecting any insane per-
son or persons supposed to be insane, or any institution in
which such insane or supposed insane person is confined, the
managers of said institution shall have the same right to ap-
peal from said action or determination of said Commission as
4s now allowed by law in cases instituted before justices of the
peace of the State; the Commission shall be empowered to pre-
sent the offenders before the grand jury of the city or county
in which such offense may have occurred.

23. The Commission shall annually report to the Governor
in the month of December its acts and proceedings; also a
report of all the different institutions, public and private, and