Rice is the general aliment of the people of the East, with whom it answers the same purposes as bread does with us. As it is not much disposed either to acescency or fermentation in the stomach, it furnishes a wholesome aliment when mixed with other food; but, if taken in large quantities by itself, from its low degree of stimulant properties, it is apt to remain for a length of time in the stomach: this effect is greatly increased by protracted boiling. Where the stomach is in a state of relaxation and debility, it ought not to be taken without condiment: it is, for this reason, found necessary in the warmer climates to conjoin it with a considerable quantity of warm spices. There formerly existed a prejudice against its use, from a belief that it had a tendency to produce blindness. It is scarcely necessary to state, that such an idea has no foundation in truth. It is generally considered as astringent, and is, therefore, a popular remedy for diarrhoea; no astringent principle, however, has yet been discovered in its composition, and it is probable that it owes its virtues, on such occasions, to the mild and bland mucilage with which it abounds, shielding the intestines from acrimonious humours.

219. There are various other aliments in domestic use, which owe their qualities to starch, such as sago, tapioca, arrow-root, etc. From the mucilaginous form in which they are usually administered to invalids, they are not so digestible as is generally supposed; but where the stomach rejects more substantial viands, they are useful in themselves, as well as proper vehicles for the administration of vinous stimulants.

220. The leguminous productions, or pulses, may be considered as constituting the second division of farinaceous aliment. They differ little from grains, except in affording a more unctuous flour, which forms a milky solution with water, owing to the presence of an oily matter. Although they are highly nutritive, they are certainly more indigestible than seeds, and the bread they afford is apt to occasion flatulence, and to lie heavy on the stomach. The use, therefore, of this species of food is more circumscribed than that of the farinaceous seeds; it is principally confined to the lower classes, and to those possessing strong powers of digestion. In dyspeptic habits they ought on no account to be allowed; the symptoms of uneasiness which they produce in such persons is often alarming: flatulence and colic are the common consequences of their action. It has been said with some truth, that nature herself would seem to point out the necessity of mixing such food with other grains, for the soil becomes exhausted, unless it is alternately sown with grains and pulses; whereas, by such an alternation, the ground is preserved in a condition to afford a constant supply of nutriment.

Pulses are employed in two very different states: in an early stage of their growth, when they are succulent: and when all their parts have reached maturity: in the former condition they are frequently acceptable to the stomach; but in the latter, they are only calculated for those who have strong digestive powers.