I swear by Apollo the physician, and sculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and its stipulations -- to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and to 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 other.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 anyone 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 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 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 continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of this art, respected by all men, in all time. But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_classical.html
"The first standards of medical conduct and ethics are those set down in the Oath of Hippocrates. Physicians graduating from medical school take this oath or the modern Lasagna Professional Oath."-Pg 35-36 Administrative Medical Assisting 4th edition 1998, published by Delmar Publishers
The Hippocratic Oath has changed with the times, yet the classic Oath of Hippocrates is still used in some medical schools. Here are two newer versions of this oath:
http://www.care-nurse.com/creeds/hippo1.html (" I swear by Apollo the physician, and sculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses" is replaced by "I swearin the presence of the Almighty and before my family, my teachers and my peers" )
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html (The Lasagna Professional Oath)
I am astounded that the WTS allows any of it's adherents to take this oath or even go into the medical profession because of it. You can not pledge allegiance to a flag, but you can swear by Apollo and all the gods and goddesses (the original Hippocratic oath)...or take an oath to the Almighty outside of their little society (the modern Hippocratic oath)...or make a "covenant" (the Lasagna Professional Oath) with the medical profession. Strange these people are. I cannot, for the life in me, understand their logic and reasonings...
Just my ramblings and observations...