THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 999

habitual drunkard, incapable of taking care of himself,
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 approba-
tion of the court, may at any time release from confine-
ment said habitual drunkard, and the period of confine-
ment of said habitual drunkard may, by the said com-
mittee, 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 intoxicant.

1. When any person is alleged to be a lunatic or insane
and without sufficient means to pay for his or her mainte-
nance at an asylum, and who has no relative or relatives
or others legally chargeable with his or her support, the
County Commissioners of the county in which such person
may reside, or the Department of Welfare of the City of
Baltimore (if such person resides in the City of Balti-
more) shall, upon the written certificates of two qualified
physicians made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 30, cause such person to be sent to a hospital or
some other place better suited to his or her condition,
there to be confined at the expense or partial expense of
the county or city, as provided in Sections 4 and 43, until
he or she shall have recovered and be discharged in due
course of law, but if demanded by the alleged lunatic or
insane person or any of his or her relatives or friends, or
if requested by the Board of County Commissioners of
the county in which the alleged lunatic or insane person
resides, or by the Department of Welfare of the City of
Baltimore, if said person resides therein, the Circuit Court
of Baltimore (if such person resides in the City of Balti-
more), shall cause a jury [of twelve good and lawful men]
to be empanelled forthwith, using the procedure described
in Section 134 of Article 16 of this Code, 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
Commissioners or the Department of Welfare of Balti-
more City to cause such person to be sent to a hospital, or
some other place better suited to his or her condition, there
to be confined at the expense or partial expense of the