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:
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 an oath according to the medical law, but no one else.
I will apply dietetic 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 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.
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 the 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 to 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.
WELL, THAT'S WHAT THEY USE TO SAY IN THEIR OATH.
Perhaps they should follow the following prayer for all of our sakes now;
Exalted God; Before I begin the holy work of healing the creation of your hand, I place my entreaty before the throne of your glory that you grant strength of spirit and fortitude to faithfully execute my work.;
Let not desire for wealth or benefit blind me from seeing truth.;
Deem me worthy of seeing in the sufferer who seeks my advice a person neither rich or poor; friend or foe; good man or bad; or a man in distress. Show me only the man.
If doctors wiser than me seek to help me understand, grant me the desire to learn from them for the knowledge of healing is boundless.
But, when fools deride me, give me fortitude. Let my love for my profession strengthen my resolve to withstand the derision even of men of high station.
Illuminate the way for me, for any lapse in my knowledge can bring illness and death upon your creation.
I beseech you merciful and gracious God, strengthen me in body and soul and instill within me a perfect spirit.
