Vietnam Battlefield Painkillers

What are M and M's - as described in Tim O'Brien's book about Vietnam - The Things They Carried

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If you read historical accounts of Vietnam, many of the medics actually carried M&Ms candy that they gave to the severely wounded, who weren't likely to survive.

Under such circumstances, their supplies of actual analgesics, such as Morphine were limited and therefore, it could only be given to those whose injuries weren't considered fatal and who were thought to have a chance of surviving.

In the interest of doing something and not walking away from a solder who had been so brave and was severely suffering, they often gave them a piece or two of the candy as a pill, in hopes that the placebo effect would occur and they soldier would feel less pain and be comforted in his final moments.

Is there anything else I can help with?

I'd like to add one caveat, I have not actually researched M&Ms to know if that name brand was around at that time, so the historical accounts may just be using the name to describe a similar type of candy that was used.

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