Kacke

Kacke is the informal German term for feces or excrement. In medical contexts the terms Stuhl or Fäzes are used. Kacke is produced in the digestive tract as a waste product of digestion and is expelled through the anus during defecation. Its study falls under gastroenterology and sanitation.

It is mainly water, with solid material including bacteria, undigested food residues, bile pigments, and cells shed from the intestinal lining. The typical color ranges from light to dark brown, influenced by diet and bile pigments; medications, iron supplements, and bleeding can alter color. Odor comes from volatile compounds produced by gut bacteria. The Bristol Stool Chart is commonly used to classify stool form, with types 3–4 considered normal, while 1–2 may indicate constipation and 6–7 diarrhea.

Hygienic handling and sanitation are important for health. Safe disposal requires a functioning toilet and sanitation system; fecal sludge must be collected, transported, and treated to reduce pathogens. In agriculture and waste management, composting toilets and proper fecal sludge management are used to recycle nutrients while minimizing health risks. Stool tests can support medical diagnosis, for example to detect infections, inflammation, or bleeding. Changes in stool consistency, color, or frequency can signal health issues and warrant medical advice.

At cultural level, Kacke is everyday language; more formal terms exist but use varies by region and context. This article uses neutral, factual language appropriate for encyclopedic reference.