HIPPOCRATIC OATH. An oath taken by young men in the early days on entering upon the practice of medicine. In ancient times the oath was ascribed to Hippocrates, and is prob ably authentic. It runs as follows: "1 swear by Apollo, the, physician, by .-Esculapius, by Hygicia, Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgment 1 will keep this oath and stipulation: to reckon him who teaches me this art equally dear with my parents; to share my substance with him and to relieve his necessities if required: to look upon his offspring upon the same footing as my own brothers; and to teach them this art if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipula tion; and that by precept, lecture, and by every other mode of instruction 1 will impart a knowl edge of this art to my own sons, to those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath, according to the law of medicine, but to no others. I will follow that system of regi men which, according to my best judgment, 1 consider best for my patients, and abstain from whatever is injurious. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel. Furthermore, I will not give to a woman an instrument to procure abortion.
With purity and holiness will I pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut a person who is suffering with stone, but will leave this to be done by those who are practitioners of such work. Into whatever houses I enter I will go for the advantage of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption, and, further, from the seduction of females or males, bond or free. Whatever in connection with my professional practice, or not in connec 'tion with it, I may see or hear, 1 will not di vulge, holding that all such things should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath inviolate, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of my art, respected always by men; but should I break through and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot." It is said that a similar oath was used in the Middle Ages, after the discontinuance of the use of the Hip pocratic oath. Some medical colleges of to-day impose a simpler obligation in the form of an admonition and an affirmation, to which the graduating class assents.