The Oath of the Hippocrates Relief
Hippocrates of Kos, 460 - 370 B. C., the most important physician of classical antiquity, offspring of an old family of physicians, who attributed her family tree to the god of salvation Asklepios, was the founder of scientific medicine. Hippocratic medicine was the turning away from religious-magical ideas and the turning towards a rational explanation of all processes affecting human health and illness. Diseases were no longer regarded as being sent from God, but as caused by explainable causes, e. g. environmental influences.
His theory of juice theory continued to operate in a slightly modified form into the 19th century.
The Hippocratic doctors saw their task in supporting the efforts to restore health (physis) in the human organism in case of illness. Precise observation of the patient's bedside and an individual approach to each patient's physical condition provided them with valuable assistance ("prognostikon"). Their therapeutic measures were essentially limited to dietary and naturopathic prescriptions. In surgery, bone surgery was performed in particular.
Among the Hippocratic writings, the text of an oath sworn by the Gods of salvation, Apollon, Asklepios, Hygieia and Panakeia, is handed down. At the end of this oath, there are rules on the conduct of physicians which, with minor changes since ancient times, could be regarded as the ethical basis of the profession of doctor.
The Hippocratic Oath
I swear and call to Apollo, the physician, and Asklepios and Hygieia and Panakeia and all the gods and goddesses to witness that I will fulfill this oath and contract according to my ability and understanding.
I will respect him who taught me this art, like my parents, I will let him take part in my lessons, I will give him, if he gets into trouble, I will give up mine, his descendants will keep him like my brothers and they will teach him this art when they demand to learn it, without payment and contract. And I will have my sons and my teacher's and the students who are contractually bound and sworn in according to the medical practice to take part in the regulations, lectures and all other instructions, but no one else.
I will make medical prescriptions for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgement, but I will be careful not to use them to the detriment and in an unjust manner.
Nor will I give a deadly poison to anyone, not even if I am asked to do so, nor will I advise anyone on it; nor will I give an abortion remedy to any woman. Pure and pious, I will preserve my life and my art.
I will not cut, not even stone sufferers, but I will leave it to the men who practise this trade.
I will go into all the houses I come into for the benefit of the sick, free from all conscious injustice and evil deeds, especially from any sexual abuse of women and men, free and slave.
What I see and hear during the treatment or outside of my practice in dealing with people, which one is not allowed to talk about, I will be
and keep it a secret.
If I fulfill this oath and do not break it, let me be called upon to make progress in my life and in my art by gaining respect among all men for all time; but if I surpass and break it, then the opposite is true.
