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The '''Oath of Hippocrates''' or '''Hippocratic Oath''' is an oath traditionally taken by doctors setting down certain guidelines about how they will use their medical skills. The oath dates back to ancient Greece but it is uncertain if it is actually due to [[Hippocrates]].

The '''Oath of Hippocrates''' or '''Hippocratic Oath''' is an [[oath]] traditionally taken by [[doctor]]s setting down certain guidelines about how they will use their [[medical]] skills. The oath dates back to ancient [[Greece]] but it is uncertain if it is actually due to [[Hippocrates]].  Taking the oath is not a requirement to practice medicine, and has no legal status.

== Translation of the Classical Oath ==

== Translation of the Classical Oath ==

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 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 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 service, 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 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 service, or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad.

==Criticism of the oath==

==Criticism of the oath==

The oath requires a doctor to swear on the names of Apollo, Æsculapius, and all the "gods" and "goddesses" of the Pagan Greek pantheon. Since this oath counters fundamental Christian principles by requiring a Christian to swear by Pagan gods, some Christian doctors may not like this oath.

The oath requires a doctor to swear on the names of [[Apollo (mythology)|Apollo]], [[Æsculapius]], and all the "gods" and "goddesses" of the [[Pagan]] Greek pantheon. Since this oath contradicts fundamental [[Christian]] principles by requiring a Christian to swear by [[Pagan]] [[deities|gods]], devout Christian doctors may refuse to take this oath.

== The Oath in Modern Times ==

== The Oath in Modern Times ==

Due to pressure from [[abortionists]] and promoters of [[abortion]], many medical schools now drop the prohibition on abortion and [[euthanasia]] from "modernized" versions of the Oath.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970328/ai_n14096334</ref><ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_today.html</ref><ref>http://www.cmdahome.org/index.cgi?CONTEXT=art&art=313&cat=100102</ref>

* Hippocratic Oath and [[Oath of the Hindu Physician]]

* [[Bioethics]]: [[Ethics]] and [[Morality]]

* [[Five Precepts]] and [[Ten Commandments]] - "Thou Shalt Not Kill"

==Notes==

== References ==

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[[Category:Medicine]]

[[Category:Medicine]]

[[Category:Abortion]]

[[Category:Abortion]]