Hippocratic Oath

[Esprix]

Dr. Boyfriend graduated from medical school a couple of weeks ago (hooray!), and during the ceremony they read the Hippocratic Oath (I do not have the entire text of exactly what they read handy at the moment). When they finished, I asked, “Hey, where’s that ‘do no harm’ part people always talk about?” He replied that some schools take it out because of the controversy. “Over what?” asks I, thinking this to be a medical given.

The answer? Assisted suicide.

Turns out some schools take that phrase out considering it incompatible with “death with dignity” or however you wish to phrase it. Some schools have their own entirely revised version of the Hippocratic oath altogether that more fits with their school’s philosophy of care.

Thought that was pretty interesting. Thoughts?

Esprix

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Was it this? I don’t see the actual words “first, do no harm”, maybe that’s in a different version? Did Dr. Boyfriend have to swear to abstain from the seduction of males and females, freemen and slaves?

http://www.humanities.ccny.cuny.edu/history/reader/hippoath.htm

I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and 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 others.

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 any one 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 with 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 the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

[divemaster]

The version that I have, the one my Grandfather, Father, Great Uncle, and Uncle took when they became physicians expressly forbid a doctor from providing the means to abortion. I guess that’s another part of the Oath that has gotten thrown out.

The text is on my home computer. I can post it if anyone wants to see the wording.

[divemaster]

Note to self: Read previous posts carefully before posting.

That’s one of my pet peeves, and here I am a culprit. Sorry about that DDG.

[DoctorJ]

Actually, I think most med schools have given up the Hippocratic Oath altogether. While the tradition is cool and all, the ideas are just not relevant to our times. A lot of people feel uncomfortable swearing an “oath” to those ideas. For example:

I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses,

You can see why the Christians and other varieties of monotheist might have a problem with this.

I will keep this Oath and this stipulation to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required;

Such devotion to our professors is hardly necessary these days.

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;

I swear to teach this to my teacher’s kids for free? Uh, no.

I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion.

Here we have two ethical toughies in one sentence. The medical profession these days generally approves of abortion and increasingly approves of assisted suicide, so it’s a bit hypocritical to make us swear to the contrary when we graduate. This is the main reason the Oath has been rewritten, replaced, or simply dropped.

I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work.

I’ll try to stick to that one. It will be tough, though.

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, of freemen and slaves.

These really go against the modern notion that one can keep one’s professional and private lives separate. (Unless you’re the President.) It also seems to be saying that the doctor will avoid “the seduction of females or males” entirely, and not just in his professional capacity. While neither I nor any of my friends in class would ever attempt to seduce a patient, I don’t think any of us are ready to swear to give it up entirely.

Really, the only parts that aren’t anachronistic or controversial are the promise to work to the greatest benefit of the patient and the idea of patient confidentiality. As much as I hate to see the tradition go, it’s hard to justify it.

Dr. J

[tracer]

What in the name of Zeus Almighty is a “pessary”?