<P> After the failure of the E-Ration, ration planners decided to save costs by returning to the basic C - ration designation, intermittently revised with new menus and item specifications . </P> <P> The C - 2 ration was described in TB - QM - 53, Department of the Army, dated March, 1948, as an individual ration which consisted of packaged pre-cooked foods which could be eaten hot or cold . It replaced the World War II C - Ration, and later, the E-Ration . It could be carried and prepared by the individual soldier . The revised C - Ration was now intended for feeding combat troops continuously up to three weeks (21 days). Due to the required individual portability of this ration, maximum nourishment had to be provided in the smallest physical unit . The components of this ration were prepared in five different menus . </P> <P> Each menu included an accessory packet which consisted of essential toilet articles, tobacco, and confections . </P> <P> In 1951, a new C - 3 menu for the Type C ration was introduced . The C - 3 ration was composed of the same five menus of the C - 2, but offered greater variety . In addition to new and improved "B" (bread) and "M" (meat) units, each menu contained an accessory packet, fruit, and cigarettes . The ration was very heavy, weighing 5 lbs. 8.5 oz . (2.5 kg .), and was packed in 8 small cans in a cardboard box . There were 6 daily ration boxes per cardboard case . </P>

Why did they take salt pills in ww2