THE OATH OF HIPPOCRATES 



I SWEAR by Apollo the physician and ^Esculapius, 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 sub- 

 stance 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 sug- 

 gest 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 labouring 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 se- 

 duction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. What- 

 ever, 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 con- 

 tinue 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. 



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