Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine
The Oath of
Hippocrates has guided physicians for over 2000 years and it says things about
privacy, concern for the patient and morality we who presently care for the
sick could consider.It is the oldest oath of ethics for Doctors that I know yet is is regularly violated today in Medicine with strong political and legal support.
Why?
What changed?
OATH AND LAW OF HIPPOCRATES, "Harvard Classics Volume 38" ©1910
by P.F. Collier and Son. Placed in the
Public Domain, June 1993.
He was born in the island of Cos between 470 and 460 BC
and enlarged his education by extensive travel. This interesting document shows
that in his time physicians were already organized into a corporation or guild,
with regulations for the training of disciples, and with an esprit de corps and
a professional ideal that can hardly yet be regarded as out of date.
Preamble: Life is short, and the Art long; the
occasion fleeting; experience fallacious, and judgment difficult. The physician
must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also to make the
patient, the attendants, and externals cooperate.
Commitment: I SWEAR by Apollo the physician and
AEsculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according
to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation -- to
reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my
substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his
offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art,
if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by
precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a
knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples
bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none
others.
Patient centered: I will follow that system of
regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit
of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.
Health : I will give no deadly medicine to any one
if asked, nor suggest any such counsel;
Babies: In like manner I will not give to a woman a
pessary to produce abortion.
Character: With purity and with holiness I will
pass my life and practice my Art.
Know my limits: I will not cut persons laboring
under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of
this work.
Unselfish devotion to patients: Into whatever
houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will
abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from
the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves.
Privacy
and confidentiality: Whatever, in connection with my
professional service, or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life
of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as
reckoning that all such should be kept secret. Consequences: While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.
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