9 Geo. IV., c. 40 (1828).
The fifteen persons appointed Commissioners in Lunacy for the metropolitan district, five of whom were physicians, were paid £1 an hour, and were appointed for one year. They were to meet quarterly for the purpose of granting licences, those in the provinces being granted by justices at quarter sessions, where three or more justices were to be elected to visit the provincial licensed houses, together with at least one medical Visitor.
Three of the Commissioners were to visit licensed houses in the metropolitan district four times a year.
Two justices to visit licensed houses in the provinces, accompanied by the medical Visitor, four times a year.
An annual report was to be prepared and presented to the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Private patients were not to be admitted to asylums without the certificates of two medical men and an order; the certificates being in force fourteen days before admission.
Pauper patients were not to be admitted without one medical certificate and the order of two justices, or an overseer and clergyman.
The proprietor of an asylum had to transmit a copy of documents to the Commissioners or justices, as the case might be.
Single patients to be received on like order and certificates. No regular visitation of this class instituted.
It should be stated that among the previous Acts, now repealed, there was a small Act passed May 2, 1815, notwithstanding the failure of Mr. Rose to induce Parliament to undertake legislation based on the evidence given before the Committee of that year. This was the Act 55 Geo. III., c. 46, entitled, "An Act to amend an Act 48 Geo. III., c. 96 (1808), being an Act for the better Care and Maintenance of Lunatics being Paupers or Criminals in England."
The committee of visiting justices of lunatic asylums were to be elected annually.
Subscribers to lunatic asylums erected by voluntary contributions, who should unite with any county, might elect a committee of governors to act with committee of visiting justices.
Justices to fix sums to be expended in purchase of lands, houses, etc., or in erecting buildings.
Overseers of the poor to return lists of all lunatics and idiots within their parishes, verified on oath and accompanied with a medical certificate.
When any asylum could accommodate more lunatics, magistrate might order an addition under certain regulations.