Moro and narcotics

ariel · 19th April 2010, 05:05 PM

Folks,
I have always been fascinated by the stories of Moro Juramentado, and their ability to withstand several bulllet wounds without stopping their attack. This was always implied to be due to their religious fervor, fighting morale, personal valor etc.
Here is a blurb from a recent book:

The Philippine War 1899-1902, by Brian McAllister Linn. Lawrence, Kans.: University Press of Kansas, 2000.

"In response to problems encountered by American units fighting Moro guerrillas during the Philippine-American War, the then-standard Colt M1892 revolver, in .38 Long Colt, was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power, as the Moros had very high battle morale and frequently used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain."

Did Moro use any narcotics or pain-killers ( opiates, most likely) in day-to-day life or before the battle?

Lew · 19th April 2010, 05:18 PM

Betel nut maybe? I thought the use of opium is Haraam?

Battara · 19th April 2010, 05:41 PM

As far as I know drugs were not used. However, they did get themselves into an altered state of consciousness before battle. You don't feel much with that and lots of adrenaline in the blood.

David · 19th April 2010, 06:10 PM

I would think that a fighter under the influences of an opiate would not be a very effective fighter even if pain levels were decreased. As José suggests i had always been under the impression that their ability to withstand pain was more due to psyching themselves up in religious fervor before battle.

Battara · 19th April 2010, 07:13 PM

A very good point David. Opiates would be troublesome for accuracy and control, especially of a bladed weapon.

Lew · 19th April 2010, 07:31 PM

The Zulu were given an hallucinogen plus a pain killer type root mixture before going into battle that had little or no effect on motor skills. So it is possible the Moro could have had a similar tonic but it is not likely due there religious beliefs.

Recent scientific studies show that the medicines contained some very potent drugs. For example, warriors were given a cannabis (marijuana)-based snuff to take during battle. Analysis of the snuff has revealed that it contained extremely high levels of THC, a powerful hallucinogen, and yet no detectable levels of the chemicals that cause the sedative effects of marijuana.

Also in the Zulu war medicine chest: the bulb of a flower in the Amaryllis family, called Boophane disticha, or the Bushman Poison Bulb. Studies have shown that the bulb -- which was also used by southern Africans to help mummify bodies -- contains buphanidrine, an alkaloid, like codeine and morphine (although it is not related to them) with hallucinogenic and pain-killing properties. According to botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk of Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg, South Africa, the dosage of buphanidrine necessary to reduce pain is very close to the toxic dose, "but in a very experienced traditional healer's hands it should be safe. They usually assess the strength of a bulb by testing it on themselves."

In addition, warriors sometimes ingested a hallucinogenic mushroom containing a toxin called muscimol. The chemical, present in fly agaric -- a mushroom that can attract and kill flies -- is said to induce a state of expanded perception in those who ingest it. Warriors who consumed those mushrooms, researchers speculate, might have been utterly without fear, believing themselves impervious to British bullets.

19th April 2010, 05:05 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Moro and narcotics Folks, I have always been fascinated by the stories of Moro Juramentado, and their ability to withstand several bulllet wounds without stopping their attack. This was always implied to be due to their religious fervor, fighting morale, personal valor etc. Here is a blurb from a recent book: The Philippine War 1899-1902, by Brian McAllister Linn. Lawrence, Kans.: University Press of Kansas, 2000. "In response to problems encountered by American units fighting Moro guerrillas during the Philippine-American War, the then-standard Colt M1892 revolver, in .38 Long Colt, was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power, as the Moros had very high battle morale and frequently used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain." Did Moro use any narcotics or pain-killers ( opiates, most likely) in day-to-day life or before the battle?

19th April 2010, 05:18 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Betel nut maybe? I thought the use of opium is Haraam?

19th April 2010, 05:41 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	As far as I know drugs were not used. However, they did get themselves into an altered state of consciousness before battle. You don't feel much with that and lots of adrenaline in the blood.

19th April 2010, 06:10 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,031	I would think that a fighter under the influences of an opiate would not be a very effective fighter even if pain levels were decreased. As José suggests i had always been under the impression that their ability to withstand pain was more due to psyching themselves up in religious fervor before battle.

19th April 2010, 07:13 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	A very good point David. Opiates would be troublesome for accuracy and control, especially of a bladed weapon.

19th April 2010, 07:31 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The Zulu were given an hallucinogen plus a pain killer type root mixture before going into battle that had little or no effect on motor skills. So it is possible the Moro could have had a similar tonic but it is not likely due there religious beliefs. Recent scientific studies show that the medicines contained some very potent drugs. For example, warriors were given a cannabis (marijuana)-based snuff to take during battle. Analysis of the snuff has revealed that it contained extremely high levels of THC, a powerful hallucinogen, and yet no detectable levels of the chemicals that cause the sedative effects of marijuana. Also in the Zulu war medicine chest: the bulb of a flower in the Amaryllis family, called Boophane disticha, or the Bushman Poison Bulb. Studies have shown that the bulb -- which was also used by southern Africans to help mummify bodies -- contains buphanidrine, an alkaloid, like codeine and morphine (although it is not related to them) with hallucinogenic and pain-killing properties. According to botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk of Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg, South Africa, the dosage of buphanidrine necessary to reduce pain is very close to the toxic dose, "but in a very experienced traditional healer's hands it should be safe. They usually assess the strength of a bulb by testing it on themselves." In addition, warriors sometimes ingested a hallucinogenic mushroom containing a toxin called muscimol. The chemical, present in fly agaric -- a mushroom that can attract and kill flies -- is said to induce a state of expanded perception in those who ingest it. Warriors who consumed those mushrooms, researchers speculate, might have been utterly without fear, believing themselves impervious to British bullets.