The
Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest known formulations of medical ethics.
Throughout history, the practice of medicine has been guided by a code of
ethics and the widely used basis for this is the Hippocratic Oath. The oath is
a declaration to practice the profession of
medicine justly and ethically. Medical students often recite the Oath as rite
of passage as they become new doctors. However, many has criticized that the
Oath has become ceremonial and non-obligatory for many. There are many changes now and advances in the practice of medicine. Some doctors argue that the Oath is outdated. Take a review of the Oath:
HIPPOCRATIC OATH
This oath set a very high standard of
professional conduct which had become the moving spirit and ideal for those who
practice the noble profession of healing since time immemorial. But note the principles on euthanasia, abortion, confidentiality, doctor-patient relationship. You look at the profession now and it seems different from what the Oath promotes. Do you think the Oath is it still relevant in our practice? Or have we deviated from the ideals of the practice of medicine?
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| The Hippocratic Oath in Cross Format |
HIPPOCRATIC OATH
I SWEAR by Apollo physician and Asclepius and
Hygeia and Panacea, all the gods and goddesses, making them witness, that I
will fulfil according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant.
To hold him who has taught me
this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him and
if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his
offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them his art ---
if they desire to learn it --- without fee and covenant;
to give a share of precepts and oral
instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who
has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken an
oath according to the medical law, but to no one else.
I will apply dietetic measures
for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep
them from harm and injustice.
I will neither give a deadly
drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect.
Similarly, I will not give a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I
will guard my life and art.
I will not use the knife, not
even on sufferers from stone, but I will withdraw in favor of such men as are
engaged in this work.
Whatever house I may visit, I
will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional
injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both
female and male persons, be they free or slaves
If I fulfill his oath and do
not violate it, may it be granted to me
to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to
come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite be my lot.
