Changes

Many more people remember [[Hippocrates]] of Cos, the physician who wrote the famous [[Hippocratic Oath|Oath]] that bears his name. But most of those who remember Hippocrates, fail to grasp that modern physicians honor his Oath more in the breach than in the actual observance. Most physicians will say, if asked, that they took the Hippocratic Oath upon receiving their medical degrees. But the oath they likely took is a watered-down version of which perhaps three of Hippocrates' original six points remain.

Many more people remember [[Hippocrates]] of Cos, the physician who wrote the famous [[Hippocratic Oath|Oath]] that bears his name. But most of those who remember Hippocrates, fail to grasp that modern physicians honor his Oath more in the breach than in the actual observance. Most physicians will say, if asked, that they took the Hippocratic Oath upon receiving their medical degrees. But the oath they likely took is a watered-down version of which perhaps three of Hippocrates' original six points remain.

[[Christian]] physicians looking for a mission statement would do well to swear by a different, stricter oath than the one that most medical students take on graduation. But understandably, they would not care to swear an oath that takes [[pagan]] gods ([[Apollo]], [[Aesculapius]], [[Hygaea]], [[Panacea]]) as witnesses.

[[Christian]] physicians looking for a mission statement would do well to swear by a different, stricter oath than the one that most medical students take on graduation. But understandably, they would not care to swear an oath that takes [[pagan]] gods ([[Apollo (mythology)|Apollo]], [[Aesculapius]], [[Hygaea]], [[Panacea]]) as witnesses.

But alternative oaths do exist. The [[Christian Medical and Dental Association]] has proposed one. Today I propose another--in honor of Saint Luke, who, if the concept "patron saint" is at all valid, would surely qualify as the patron saint of physicians.

But alternative oaths do exist. The [[Christian Medical and Dental Association]] has proposed one. Today I propose another--in honor of Saint Luke, who, if the concept "patron saint" is at all valid, would surely qualify as the patron saint of physicians.