The Old Hippocratic Oath ~425BC

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 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 necessity if required; to look upon
his offspring in the same footing as my brothers, and to
teach them this Art, if they shell wish to learn it, with out
fee and stipulation, and that by percept, lecture, and every
other means of instruction, I will impart the knowledge of the
Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to
disciple bound by stipulation and oath according to the law
of medicine, but to none other.
I will follow that system of regimen, which, according to
my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my
patient, and abstain from what ever is deleterious and
mischievous.
I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor
suggest my such counsel; and in like manner I will not give
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 person labouring under stone, but will
leave this work to be done by men who are practitioner of
this work.
Into whatever house I enter, I will go for them for the
benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act
of mischief and corruption; and, further from sedution of
females, or males, of freeman, or slaves.
Whatever, in the connection with my professional
practice, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to
be spoken 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 practice this Art, respected
by all men, in all times. Should I violate this oath, may
the reverse be my lot.
 A new Hippocratic Oath ~2004AD
I promise that my medical knowledge will be used to benefit
people’s health; patients are my first concern. I will listen to them, and
provide the best care I can. I will be honest, respectful, and
compassionate towards them.
I will do my best to help anyone in the medical need, in
emergencies. I will make every effort to ensure the rights of all
patients are respected, including vulnerable groups who lack means of
making their needs known.
I will exercise my professional judgment as independently as
possible, uninfluenced by political pressure or the social standing of
my patient. I will not put personal profit or advancement above my
duty to my patient.
I recognize the special value of human life, but ialso know that
prolongation of life is not the only aim of health care. If I agree to
perform abortion (1*), I agree that it should only take place with in the
ethical and legal context.
I will not provide treatment that are pointless or harmful, or
which an informed and competent patient refuses. I will help (2*)
patient find the information and support they want to make decision
on their care.
I will answer as truthfully as I can, and respect patients’ decision,
unless that put others at the risk of substantial (3*) harm. If I cannot
agree with their request, I will explain why.
If my patient has limited mental awareness, I will still encourage
them to participate in decisions as much as they feel able. I will do my
best to maintain the confidentiality about all patients.
If there are overriding reasons preventing my keeping a patients’
confidentiality I will explain them. I will recognize the limits of my
knowledge and seek advice from colleges as needed. I will
acknowledge my mistakes.
I will do my best to keep myself and my colleagues informed of
new developments and ensure that poor standard and bad practices
are exposed to those who can improve them.
I will show respect to all those with whom I work and be ready to
share my knowledge by teaching others what I know. I will use my
training and professional standing to improve the community in which I
work.
I will treat my patient equitably and support a fair and humane
distribution of health resource. I will try to influence positively
authorities whose policies harm public health.
 I will oppose policies which breech internationally accepted
standards of human rights. I will strive to change laws that are
contrary to patients’ interest or to my professional ethics.
While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted
to me to enjoy my life and practice this Art, respected by all, in all
times.

The Author’s Apology For His Book

When at first I took my pen in hand,

Thus for to write; I did not understand
That I at all a little book should make
In such a mode; nor did I undertake
Thereby to please my neighbor; no not I;
I did it mine own self to gratify.

Thus I set pen to paper with a delight,

And quickly had my thoughts in black and white.
For having now my Method by the end.
Still as I pull’d, it came; and so I penn’d
It down, until it come at last to be,
For length and breadth and the bigness which you see.

Well when I had thus put my ends together.

I shew’d them others, that I might see whether
They would condemn them, or them justify:
And some said, let them live; some, let them die.
Some said, Go, print it; others said, Not so:
Some said, it might be good; others said, No.

Now was I in a straight and did not see

Which was the best thing to be done by me:
At last I thought, Since you are thus divided,
I print it will; and so the case decided.
From
Principles of Anatomy
By Morton