Rex Trulove
When a man or woman becomes a doctor, they traditionally pledge to the Hippocratic Oath. Today, there are a number of variations in the oath that is taken by doctors, but the original Hippocratic Oath might surprise some people.
The original oath was a pledge to the Greek gods. In fact, the English translation of the first paragraph of the oath reads:
I swear by Apollo 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.
Although the modern oaths no longer mention the Greek gods, they are still descended from that original oath.
It is also interesting that quite a few doctors today would be in violation of the original Hippocratic Oath. For example, the fourth paragraph reads:
I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who 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.
Think about the first two sentences for a moment.
A person taking that oath wouldn’t be able to even suggest that a patient should take most of the prescribed medication that is used today. Many of them are deadly drugs if taken incorrectly, in combination with other drugs, or in the incorrect amounts. Certainly, assisted suicide would be a violation, regardless of the reason.
Further, it would be a violation of the Hippocratic Oath to perform an abortion, regardless of how it was performed. Apparently, the Greeks had a high regard to human life, regardless of if it was still in the womb or if it was an older person.
The changes in the modern Hippocratic Oath remove the pledge to the gods and to the conditions that preserve the sanctity of life, namely allowing euthanasia and abortion.
Even though the oath is largely symbolic and ceremonial today, the modern oaths are all based on the original. The next time you visit a doctor, you might think about the oath they swore to live by and what it originally meant.
I have never thought about that oath before, I never knew all this.
Most people focus on the part of the oath that says, “I will do no harm.” (That’s paraphrased.) At one point, a person couldn’t become a doctor without taking the oath.
Very good article Rex. keep it up!
I’m glad that you liked it.
Yes Sir You’r welcome!
Very good article Rex.
Modern times bring changes as understandable.
It is not understandable that doctors are corrupt or do not know their job.
It’s tragic.
The oath is less important, at least it is my opinion.
Today, the oath is pretty much meaningless and is simply taken because of tradition. Still, most people would be shocked to find out that it is based on Greek Mythology.