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    The Doctor’s Oath

    The ancient version of "The Doctor's Oath" (Greek) is attributed to Hippocrates, considered to be one of the greatest doctors and philosophers of ancient Greece and the father of modern medicine.

    Hippocrates, the first individual to attempt to institutionalize the medical profession and to accord it legal status, addressed the ethical aspects of medical care in many of his discourses. His writings include "The Doctor's Oath," which constitutes the first aggregate of ethical principles pertaining to medical practitioners.

    Over the years "The Doctor's Oath," as formulated by Hippocrates, was translated into many languages and its original version was altered and modified. Certain motifs, however, remain constant. The "Oath of the Hebrew Physician" written by Dr. Lipman Ben Shlomo Hylfrein and the "Physician’s Prayer" by Maimonides include certain motifs found in the original Greek oath.

    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 judgement, I will keep this oath and this stipulation. I 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 anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel, and in like manner I will not give to a women 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 art 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 with reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath inviolated may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art respected by men in all times but should it repass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.

    Medical cadets,

    You stand today before your teachers in the ways of medicine and its principles to take the medical oath and to fulfill the covenant to the best of your ability and judgement for the purpose of establishing a generation of physicians instilled with the desire to act and the belief in its mission to provide relief to those in pain.

     

    And this is the covenant which I contract with you today:

    • You will fulfill your duty day and night to stand by the sick in their distress at any time and at any hour.
    • And fully serve human life from its emergence from the mother’s womb and the welfare of humans will unceasingly be your ultimate consideration.
    • And you will aid the sick irrespective of whether they are converts or gentiles or citizens, whether they are ignominious or respected.
    • And you will have the wisdom to understand the soul of the sick, to lift their spirits with perspicacity and love of man.
    • Do not hasten to pass judgement and weigh your decisions on the scales of unqualified wisdom and experience.
    • Be loyal to those who put their trust in you, do not disclose their secrets and do not spread what you know to others.
    • Act to serve the health and welfare of the public and to alleviate the distress of the people.
    • Honor and respect your teachers who guided you in the knowledge of medicine
    • Seek wisdom and do not desist for it is your life and from it shall flow the outcomes of life.
    • Heed the dignity of your friends for in honoring them you will be honored.

     

    You will cherish the words of this covenant in your mind and in your heart and follow them and all answer Amen.

    Amen thus we shall do


    We hope your endeavors will glorify the heritage of medicine
    Prof. L. Heilprin, 1952, Jerusalem
     

    I am preparing myself to perform my art, please help me God to succeed in my work.

    Put in my heart love for my art and for your creation and may neither the love of profit and the desire for glory and honor engage my mind for these qualities are the enemies of true love and love of humans and thus I beseech you do not make me forgetful of my work to be useful and to serve.

    Grant me the physical and mental strength to be forever prepared to help the poor and the rich, the good and the bad, my love and my enemy, and may I always see the human in the infirm, may the sick trust me and my knowledge to heed my advice and to follow my instructions. Distance from the infirm all quack doctors and the entire army of close advisors and the cunning crafts as they are a cruel people who from arrogance and haughtiness will thwart any good intention.

    Grant me the wisdom to listen to the voice of the genuine wise of my art who strive to instill knowledge, as the field of wisdom is abundant and wide. Grant me the strength and the courage to dismiss cunning fools who find fault so that I may not deviate from the way of truth without prejudice.

    Amen

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