Note 257 — ON THE THEORY AND ART OF PRESCRIBING.

In the same manner is the salivary secretion immediately influenced by the operation of the mind; the sight of a delicious repast to a hungry man is not more effectual in exciting it, than is the operation of fear and anxiety in repressing and suspending it. Whence we are led to believe, that the Hindoo Ordeal by Rice may have occasionally assisted in the ends of Justice. This ordeal was conducted in the following manner. The persons suspected of any crime being assembled in a ring, a certain portion of dried rice was given to each, which they were directed to chew for some minutes, and then to turn it out of their mouths upon the leaves or bark of a tree. Those who were capable of returning it in a pulpy form were at once acquitted, while those from whose mouths it came out dry, were pronounced guilty. See Medical Jurisprudence, Introduct. Vol. 1. p. viii.