When personal attendance of witnesses may be dispensed with and procedure in such , cases

When a person with e vidence may be required is unable from sickness; infirmity or o ther sufficient cause to attend before the officer issuing the sum mons, or is a person who is exempted from appearance in civil courts, or is a woman who according to the custom of her community does not appear in public, the officer issuing the summons may, or his own motion or on the application of the party whose evidence is desired, dispense with the appearance of such person, and order such person to be examined by a subordinate deputed by him for the purpose or may himself examine such person at the place where the latter resides.