The oath to Hippocrates a masterpiece of moral beauty promotes professional morality in the medical profession and becomes the vessel of communication for this master’s legacy to every man. It cannot be a coincidence that the international corpus of doctors pledges to this oath in ceremony in spite of it not being a mandatory act any longer.
However as the case might be, modifications to the original body of the oath have been made in accordance to country or school orientation, such as excluding those articles that forbade most general doctor’s from committing abortions ,euthanasia and surgery.
The oath is respectfully recited during the apex of the Hippocratia festival which takes place in Kos annually and finishes with the said ceremony in the Asklepieion. A youth wreath bearer accompanied by two girls representing the goddesses Panacea and Hygeia leads a procession of three flute players who weave a rhythmic musical track as they slowly and magnificently descend the stairs of the second terrace of the Asklepieion. Twelve daughters garbed in white robes bearing flowers shower the altar of Apollo with rose petals while the wreath bearer recites the oath.
Hippocratic Oath
1.I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
2.To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art; and that by my teaching, I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, and to my teacher’s sons, and to disciples bound by an indenture and oath according to the medical laws, and no others.
3.I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
4.I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
5.But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
6.I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
7.In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or men, be they free or slaves.
8.All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
9.If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life.
