Oath of Hippocrates 



                             Oath of Hippocrates

                                [Hippocrates]

                             Hippocrates of Cos

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I swear by Apollo the physician, and Æsculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea,
and all the gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgment, I
will keep this oath and its stipulations -- to reckon him who taught me this
art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and to
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 other.

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 woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and 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 this art, respected by all men, in all time.
But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.

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