The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-09
THE hlPPOCaATIC OATH.
Its frecspss Are Observed BY Physicians
Even to Tbs Day.

Even to Tbs Day.
It happens from time 70 time that in
the accounts of police court proceedings
and coroners' inquests reference is
made to the Oath Of Hippocrates-" AZ
shcnature OF this oath is sometimes mis-
understood and medical men conse-
quently are accused without reason of
violating it, it may be well TO recall
what were the conditions supposed to
have been imposed BY the ancient Greek
physician upon his pupils.
Whether the oath was actually the
work of Hippocrates has frequently
heen called in question. 1t Is men,
toned by many early authors, butlatsr
writers have condemned il as spurious.
End 1t is certain that Galen makes no
mention of it. Nevertheless, many
learned men of modern times. Littre
among them, have accepted it as genu-
Inc.
However, whether ID was indeed the
father of medicine himself who Ibid
down the precepts. they are certainly
very ancient, and stand to this day as
the very foundation of medical eti
quettc. In certain colleges the Hippo
cratic oath, with but one or two modifi.
cations, is still taken by alhwho would
become practitioners of medicine. On
the other hand. it would be an error &c
suppose that all physicians are Obliged
of necessity to abide by the rules laid
down in il, for in certain colleges Of
medicine a degree may be had without
either oath or stipulation.
Here is Hippocrates' oath as trans.
lated by Surgeon Francis Adams:
Il swear by Apollo, the physician,
and lEscuhpius, and Health, and All
Heel, and all the gods and goidesses
that according to my ability and judg
ment l will keep this oath and this slip
,ulation-to reckon him who taught me
this are equally dear TO me as my
parents, to share my substance with
him and relieve his necessities IL re
CURED; to look upon his offspring il
the same footing as my own brothers.
and to teach them this art if they shall
wish 10 learn it, without fee or stipula
ton; and that by precept. lecture. and
every other mode of instruction will
impart a knowledge of the art to my
own sons and those Of my teachers, AMI
to disciples bound by n stipulation and
oath, but to none others I will fol-
low that system of regimen which. &C
cording 10 my ability and Judgment,
consider for the benefit OF my patients,
and abstain from whatever Is deleteri-
GUS and mischievous. / will give no
deadly medicine TO anyone II asked, nor
suggest any such counsel; and In like
manner I will not give to a woman
pessary to produce abortion. With
purity and with holiness I viii pass my
life and practice my art. 1 will not
cut persons iaboring under tho stone,
but will leave this 70 be done by mea
who are practitioners of this work.
Into whatever houses I enter, I will 60
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
Whatever, in consideration
with my professional practice or not in
connection with il, / see or hear in the
life Of men, which ought not to be
spoken abroad, will not divulge, "a
reckoning that all such should be kept
secret. While I continue to keep this
cath inviolated, may it be granted ma
to enjoy life and the practice Of thetnrt
respected by all men in all times! But
shoud trespass and violate this oath,
may the reverse be my lott"
One of the most curious items in this
oath il that in which the practice OF
lithotomy is interdicted. That Hippo
crates should have looked On it as i'm
proper for pupils of his TO perform this
operation appears strange 70 tho FUR
gson Of to-day, but there is little doubt
that IN ancient times IL was regarded 40
beneath the dignity of Q practitioner OF
standing. Neither Cullen nor Hippo
crates mentions having performed il,
and the Arabians appear to have hsd tho
strongest prejudice against it. In fact,
Ayenroar epeaks of il as an operation
which, 81 FAR from performing, no de-
cent physician would 50 much az wit
ness.-N. y. Sun.