Prisoners after war
After the war, surviving prisoners went to see medical officials to determine their health. Many post-Civil War prisoners experienced post-traumatic stress. Many were also diagnosed with postwar cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous diseases. Greater exposure to the deaths of military companions increased the risks of these diseases. Studies also showed that younger soldiers had a higher mortality risk and greater signs of nervous and physical disease than older soldiers. Since many soldiers received a lack of food in the camps, afterwards, they had issues eating and performing basic functions. Some escaped or freed prisoners were considered "living skeletons" once they returned home.