Lunatics are competent witnesses in relation to testimony, as in
relation to crime, if they understand the nature of an oath and the
character of the proceedings in which they are engaged. The judge, as in
the case of children, examines the lunatic tendered as a witness as to
his knowledge of the nature and obligation of an oath, and, if
satisfied, he allows him to be sworn.
A person, if suffering from such a state of mental unsoundness as to be
unable to take care of his property, may be placed under the care of the
Court of Chancery. The Court then administers his property, and
otherwise allows him entire freedom of action.
With regard to the care of lunatics, no person is allowed to receive
more than one lunatic into his house unless such house is licensed and
the proper certificates have been signed. One patient may be taken
without the house being licensed, but the usual certificates must in all
cases be signed, and the Lunacy Commissioners communicated with. If a
person receives another not of unsound mind into his house, and such
person becomes subsequently insane, the person so keeping him renders
himself liable to heavy penalties, unless the legal certificates are at
once procured and the Commissioners of Lunacy communicated with.
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