The Hippocratic Oath

Like many non-physicians I was vaguely aware of the oath purportedly taken by the medical profession and the oft-stated principle at the heart of the oath commonly  expressed as ‘Do no harm.’

I have wondered about that for a long time in light of the continuing abomination of abortions (nearly 58 million estimated in the nearly 50 years since Roe v. Wade) performed by the ‘profession,’ and the looming potential involvement of the ‘profession’ in euthanasia of the elderly.

Here is the Hippocratic Oath edited slightly by me only by removing, by insertion of ellipsis, irrelevant material and maintaining by exact quotation the rest and substance of the ‘profession’:

            “I swear . . . that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and stipulation . . . . 

            I will follow that method of treatment 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.  Furthermore, I will not give to a woman an instrument to produce an abortion. 

            With Purity and with Holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. / 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, bond or free.           

            Whatever, in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I may see or hear in the lives of men which ought not to be spoken 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, at all times, but should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.”

The original oath, penned about 2,500 years ago, as quoted above, I have learned is not sworn to, nor ever was, by the vast majority of the medical profession. Neither is it even approximated by many physicians; it has long been superannuated and doctors are not bound by it. 

There are, however, politically correct and legally careful—yet probably  non-binding—ceremonial oaths taken in this country by graduates of most medical schools.

I’m sure most physicians would still like to be “respected by all men, at all times,” but what about the larger issue, respect for LIFE, which I always assumed was the medical profession’s obligation to protect, promote, and preserve which many religious people, such as me, consider to be the highest value?

Ask your physician about it—but, of course, you will probably be ‘billed’ for his/her answer.