HIPPOCRATIC OATH ⚕ ⚕

WHO WAS HIPPOCRATES?

Hippocrates, a Greek physician known as the father of medicine was born in 460 BCE on the island of Kos and died around 380–370 BCE in Larissa. His legacy spans over 2000 years as the founder of medicine, an adept healer with a commitment to ethics and the creator of the Hippocratic Oath, that all Doctors are expected to adhere to. Hippocrates and his followers left a treasure trove of medical writings, known as the Hippocratic corpus. These texts laid down principles underscoring the importance of basing medical practice on observations and anatomical studies while highlighting the fact that diseases have causes rather than being attributed to supernatural influences or the moral failing of patients.

WHAT IS THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH?

For centuries, the Hippocratic Oath has served as a set of ethical guidelines in the field of medicine recited during medical school graduations. This is no coincidence as the oath succinctly captures the responsibilities of a profession, like medicine. Its brevity covers the range of ethical dilemmas that physicians may face throughout their careers.

TEXT OF THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH:

"I pledge allegiance to Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, Panacea and call upon all the gods and goddesses as witnesses to uphold the oath to the best of my abilities."

"I will honor and respect as my parents the person who taught me this craft; live harmoniously with my teacher and share my wealth with them, if needed; care for their children as if they were my siblings and pass on this knowledge to them."

"I will prescribe treatments solely for the patients benefit, using my skills and judgment while ensuring that I do not cause harm."

" I will never administer a drug, to anyone even if requested nor will I recommend such actions. Likewise I will refrain from providing any woman with tools to induce abortion."

" I will conduct my life and practice my profession with integrity and purity."

" I will abstain from performing surgeries to remove stones even on patients showing symptoms of this condition; instead, I will refer them to specialists in this field."

" When I enter a home to assist my patients I will avoid any wrongdoing or harm; particularly refraining from engaging in relationships with men or women, whether free or enslaved."

" Everything I learn during my practice or while interacting with individuals that should remain confidential will be kept secret and never disclosed."

" If I remain true to this oath may I live and practice my art with respect from all, for eternity. But if I fail to uphold this oath may the consequences be the opposite."