Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 47 Part 1.djvu/1108

 1084 72d CONGRESS. SESS. II. CH. 127. FEBRU ARY 27, 1933 . as if the petition had been presented to him prior to the patient's admission into observation quarters. Peti tion for confine- SEC. 978. PETITION FOR CONFINEMENT OF INSANE PERSONS .-TO men t of insane. obtain the judicial order provided for in section 977, it shall be necessary for a relative of the person alleged to be insane, or a phy- sician or other interested person in the Canal Zone, to present a petition, duly subscribed and sworn to by the petitioner, to the judge of the district court, which petition shall state the sex, age, and nationality of patient, if known, and the facts showing the patient's mental infirmity, and, if possible, the history of the case and the form of insanity with which he is suffering and the attending cir- cumstances making it necessary that he be confined in the asylum. If such petition is presented by other than a relative, and there is a know n rel ative withi n or near the Ca nal Z one, notice ther eof s hall be given to such relative. The petition shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by one or more reputable physicians to the effect that in their opinion such person is insane. Prompt hearing. SEC. 979. HEARING TO BE PROMPT ; ORDERING CUSTODY FOR OBSERVA- TION.-The petition provided for in sec tio n 97 8 shall take pr ecedence over all other matters pending before the court, and it the facts stated therein are sufficient to satisfy the court of the insanity of the custody for observe- lion. person sought to be confined, orders shall be issued at once directing that the person alleged to be insa ne be take n in cust ody for observation. for. Admission of patient SEC. 980. AD MISSI ON OF PATIE NT FOR OBS ERVATI ON ; REPORT ON SANITY.-The order of the judge directing that the person alleged to be insane be placed under observation shall be sufficient authority for the superintendent of Corozal Hospital to admit the patient into the hospital or other suitable quarters and to detain him for the purpose of observation. Iieportnnsanity. Within thirty days after the patient 3i as been plac ed under ob- servation the superintendent of Corozal Hospital shall file with the clerk of the court a written report stating whether the patient is sane or insane, and the facts upon which such statement is based. If the observa tion sha ll show that the patient is not i nsane he shall be set at liberty by the superintendent of Corozal Hospital at once, and such action shall be noted in the report submitted to the court. If the observat ion shall show th at the p atient i s insane, it sha ll be the duty of the court to render judgment therein, either committing the patient to the Corozal Hospital or directing that he be turned over to his relatives or friends who are able and willing to care for him. Contest Of. SEC. 981 . CONTESTING REPORT ON SANITY.---The relatives of the per- son alleged to be insane, or the district attorney, may appear and contest the rep ort of th e superi ntendent, and in such ca ses the judge shall hear the evidence presented by the parties and render judgment thereon, as provided in section 980. Temporary release. SEC. 982. TEMPORARY RELEASE OF PATIENTS.-Whenever any patient who is not serving a sentence for violation of the criminal laws of the Canal Zone has shown such improvement in his mental condition as would, in the opinion of the superintendent, warrant his te m- porary release for the purpose of determining whether such improve- ment is permanent and would eventually warrant the discharge of the patient, the superintendent may release such patient for such eriod as may be dee med proper by the superi ntendent after the utter by adequate investigation has satisfied himself that the patient has rel atives o r friends who are able an d willin g to rec eive and care for such patient. If during such release, it shall appear to the superintendent that tie patient should be discharged, a statement