Scabies and the Infamous "Sackratten"

From the Captain's Treasure Trove. Close quarters, infrequent bathing, and questionable shore leaves have historically made ships prime breeding grounds for a variety of itchy, uncomfortable, and highly contagious skin conditions. Among the most dreaded are scabies and the uniquely German-named affliction known as Sackratten.

What is Scabies?

Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The female mites burrow into the upper layer of the human skin to live and lay their eggs. This burrowing causes an intense, relentless allergic reaction, resulting in severe itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash.

Scabies spreads primarily through prolonged, direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. In the cramped, humid environment of a ship's lower decks, or a densely packed encampment around a tiny golden yurt, an outbreak of scabies can spread like wildfire.

The German Term: "Sackratten"

While modern medicine distinguishes between various itchy infestations, sailors historically lumped them together under colorful slang. When German-speaking sailors complain of extreme itching, particularly in the groin area, they will often curse the dreaded Sackratten.

The word Sackratten translates literally to "sack rats" (with "sack" referring to the scrotum). Medically speaking, Sackratten specifically refers to pubic lice (Pthirus pubis), also known in English as "crabs." Like scabies, pubic lice are tiny parasites that feed on human blood and cause intense itching, and they are usually transmitted through intimate contact.

However, in the rough, unfiltered parlance of a desperate crew, the term Sackratten is often thrown around as a catch-all diagnosis for any terrible, spreading itch in the nether regions—whether it be true pubic lice, a severe case of scabies that has migrated, or a slew of other Geschlechtskrankheiten (venereal diseases).

The Itch That Drives Men Mad

Regardless of whether the culprit is the burrowing mite of scabies or the clinging claws of the Sackratten, the result is the same: a maddening itch that deprives men of sleep, ruins morale, and leads to frantic scratching.

Treating these conditions historically involved harsh, noxious ointments made from sulfur, mercury, or whatever caustic chemicals the ship's doctor had on hand. Often, the cure felt nearly as bad as the disease, leaving the afflicted crew members smelling of brimstone and scratching until they bled.