The Hippocratic Oath, Oath of Maimonides, The Physician's Oath

The Hippocratic Oath, Oath of Maimonides, The Physician's Oath

On my Mind, Is the The Hippocratic Oath, the original version, classic version and modern version of how it has changed, and how, in the USA a doctor is not required to take this oath anymore, :-( I say, may may the reverse be your life if you break the original vow all doctors have at least read...

What is interesting is now from this oath they designed other oaths to replace this most time honored Hippocratic Oath to protect them from failing on the Original oath, and not telling the entire public, that they have not sworn to the Hippocratic oath, making all believe they swore to god and all healing gods to do no harm, which they have not done!... It is not a requirement into the medical profession... they have adopted 2 other oaths to choose from, that protects their brotherhood that can cause harm... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

In the 1870s, many American medical schools chose to abandon the Hippocratic Oath as part of graduation ceremonies, usually substituting a version modified to something considered more politically and medically correct, or an alternate pledge like the Oath of Maimonides. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Maimonides

Even more disturbing, The Physician's Oath which was codified in the Declaration of Geneva (1948) by the World Medical Association.  With the Purpose of the Physician's Oath and Changing the worlds Medical Oath even more which seems to suit and be a response to the atrocities committed by the physicians in Nazi Germany, and IMO, seams to allow them to have occurred and continue to this day, as they even removed the vow to religion and God to do no harm... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician%27s_Oath

And to further add, In the United States, most medical schools administer some form of oath (It should be noted, however, that a physician is not required to take the oath).[citation needed] It has been suggested that a similar oath should be undertaken by scientists, a Hippocratic Oath for Scientists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath_for_Scientists and you will see, failing to pass and caused a debate was something that is just common sense.. quote "to cause no harm and to be wholly truthful in their public pronouncements, and also to protect them from discrimination by employers who might prefer them to be economical with the truth." end quote, which just created a debate and was not used, :-(

here are the oaths and how they have changed...

Original Hippocratic Oath
Greek Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Original, translated into English:[4]

• 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:
• 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.
• I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
• 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.
• But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
• 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.
• 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 with men, be they free or slaves.
• 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.
• 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.

Classic version of Hippocratic Oath

Classic translation into English:[5]

• I swear by Apollo the Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods, and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:
• To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art – if they desire to learn it – without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken the oath according to medical law, but to no one else.
• I will apply dietic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.
• I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.
• I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.
• Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.
• What I may see or hear in the course of treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.
• If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.

Modern version of the Hippocratic

A widely used modern version of the traditional oath was penned in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, former Principal of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University:[8]

• I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
• I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
• I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of over treatment and therapeutic nihilism.
• I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
• I will not be ashamed to say "I know not", nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
• I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
• I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
• I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
• I will remember that I remain a member of society with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
• If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, be respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

In the 1870s, many American medical schools chose to abandon the Hippocratic Oath as part of graduation ceremonies, usually substituting a version modified to something considered more politically and medically correct, or an alternate pledge like the Oath of Maimonides. The Hippocratic Oath has been updated by the Declaration of Geneva. In the United Kingdom, the General Medical Council provides clear modern guidance in the form of its Duties of a Doctor and Good Medical Practice statements.

Oath of Maimonides 

• "The eternal providence has appointed me to watch over the life and health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all time; may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory or for a great reputation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthropy could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing good to Thy children.
• May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.
• Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.
• Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of today. Oh, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my calling."

The Physician's Oath
At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:

• I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
• I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
• I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; the health of my patient will be my Number One consideration;
• I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession; my colleagues will be my brothers;
• I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics, social standing, or sexual orientation to intervene between my duty and my patient;
• I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
• I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.