The
Hippocratic Oath
ANCIENT VERSION
"I
SWEAR by Apollo the physician and Aesculapius, and Hygieia, and Panaceia, 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 judgement,
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 labouring 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
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. While I
continue to keep this Oath inviolate, 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 MODERN VERSIONS
With
the realization that the original Oath of Hippocrates (circa 400 B.C.) contained
many anachronisms, a panel of 35 interfaith medical ethicists and physicians
convened to revise The Oath in order to make it more contemporary and relevant.
The revised Oath is presented below. However, it should be noted that in the
United States, each medical school has revised The Oath further to suit their
particular philosophies and values. As such, The Oath you swear may be far
different than the one below.
"I
SWEAR in the presence of the Almighty and before my family, my teachers and my
peers that according to my ability and judgment I will keep this Oath and
Stipulation:
TO
RECKON all who have taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents and in
the same spirit and dedication to impart a knowledge of the art of medicine to
others. I will continue with diligence to keep abreast of advances in medicine.
I will treat without exception all who seek my ministrations, so long as the
treatment of others is not compromised thereby, and I will seek the counsel of
particularly skilled physicians where indicated for the benefit of my patient.
I
WILL FOLLOW that method of treatment which according to my ability and judgment,
I consider for the benefit of my patient and abstain from whatever is harmful or
mischievous. I will neither prescribe nor administer a lethal dose of medicine
to any patient even if asked nor counsel any such thing nor perform act or
omission with direct intent deliberately to end a human life. I will maintain
the utmost respect for every human life from fertilization to natural death and
reject abortion that deliberately takes a unique human life.
WITH
PURITY, HOLINESS AND BENEFICENCE I will pass my life and practice my art. Except
for the prudent correction of an imminent danger, I will neither treat any
patient nor carry out any research on any human being without the valid informed
consent of the subject or the appropriate legal protector thereof, understanding
that research must have as its purpose the furtherance of the health of that
individual. Into whatever patient setting I enter, I will go for the benefit of
the sick and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief or corruption and
further from the seduction of any patient.
WHATEVER
IN CONNECTION with my professional practice or not in connection with it I may
see or hear in the lives of my patients which ought not be spoken abroad I will
not divulge, reckoning that all such should be kept secret.
WHILE
I CONTINUE to keep this Oath inviolate may it be granted to me to enjoy life and
the practice of the art and science of medicine with the blessing of the
Almighty and respected by my peers and society, but should I trespass and
violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot."
(Adapted and endorsed by 35 inter-faith ethicists and physicians.)
Adopted
by the General Assembly of the World Medical Association at Geneva in 1948 and
amended by the 22d World Medical Assembly at Sydney in 1968, the Declaration Of
Geneva was one of the first and most important actions of the Association. It is
a declaration of physicians' dedication to the humanitarian goals of medicine, a
declaration that was especially important in view of the medical crimes, which
had just been committed in Nazi Germany. The Declaration of Geneva was intended
to update the Oath of Hippocrates, which was no longer suited to modern
conditions.
"At
the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:
I
solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity:
I
will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due:
I
will practice my profession with conscience and dignity:
The
health of my patient will be my first consideration:
I
will respect the secrets, which are confided in me, even after the patient has
died:
I
will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions
of the medical profession:
My
colleagues will be my brothers:
I
will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or
social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient:
I
will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception;
even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of
humanity.
I
make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour."
DUTIES
OF PHYSICIANS IN GENERAL
A PHYSICIAN SHALL
always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not permit motives of profit to influence the free and
independent exercise of professional judgement on behalf of patients.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL, in all types of medical practice, be dedicated to providing
competent medical service in full technical and moral independence, with
compassion and respect for human dignity.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to
expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in
fraud or deception.
The following practices are deemed to be unethical conduct:
a) Self advertising by physicians, unless permitted by the laws of the country
and the Code of Ethics of the National Medical Association.
b) Paying or receiving any fee or any other consideration solely to
procure the referral of a patient or for prescribing or referring a patient to
any source.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and of
other health professionals and shall safeguard patient confidences.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL act only in the patient's interest when providing medical
care, which might have the effect of weakening the physical and mental condition
of the patient.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL use great caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques
or treatment through n on- professional channels.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL certify only that which he has personally verified.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO THE SICK
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human
life.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL owe his patients complete loyalty and all the resources of his
science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the physician's capacity
he should summon another physician who has the necessary ability.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL preserve absolute confidentiality on all he knows about his
patient even after the patient has died.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is
assured that others are willing and able to give such care.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO EACH OTHER
A PHYSICIAN SHALL behave towards his colleagues, as he would have them
behave towards him.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL NOT entice patients from his colleagues.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL observe the principles of the "Declaration of
Geneva" approved by the World Medical Association.