5. The Union soldier was healthier, but only marginally so
During the Civil War a soldier of the Union Army had roughly a 1 in 8 chance of dying from disease contracted while serving. Many of the diseases were those resulting from poor diet and worse sanitation and hygiene, including dysentery, amoebic diarrhea, scurvy, and the like. Diets high in sodium and low in fresh fruits and vegetables were a contributing factor. So was foul water, which often became contaminated when the armies remained in one place for extended periods. Diseases spread by lice also were problems for the armies due to inadequate bathing and the failure to air or replace bedding regularly. Ensuring that their men practiced good hygiene was not a high priority for some officers, and their men suffered from it as a result.
