THE OATH
by Hippocrates
Translated by Francis
Adams
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.
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. I will give no
deadly
medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and
in
like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce
abortion.
With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and
practice
my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone,
but
will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this
work.
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. Whatever, in connection with my
professional
practice 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. 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!
-THE END-
