Hippocratic Oath

[Phantom Blooper]

THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH
I swear by Apollo the physician, by Æsculapius, Hygeia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgement, the following Oath.


"To consider dear to me as my parents him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and if necessary to share my goods with him; to look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art if they so desire without fee or written promise; to impart to my sons and the sons of the master who taught me and the disciples who have enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules of the profession, but to these alone the precepts and the instruction. I will prescribe regimen for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgement and never do harm to anyone. To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death. Nor will I give a woman a pessary to procure abortion. But I will preserve the purity of my life and my art. I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art. In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves. All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal. If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot."
The tranlation of the Hippocratic Oath for the 21st Century: "Do you have insurance?"....."We are going to have to run some tests."....."You may experience some discomfort."....."We are going to have to run some more tests."......"The tests were inconclusive."........"Can you make your payment as soon as possible,the payment on my Lexus is due?" S/F Chuck Hall

[Sparrowhawk]

The central historical figure in Greek medicine was Hippocrates.

Tales of his ingenuity, patriotism and compassion made him a legend. He provided an example of the ideal physician after which others centuries after him patterned their existence.

http://hsc.virginia.edu/hs-library/historical/antiqua/images/hippocd.jpg
The father of medicine as envisioned by a Byzantine artist. Portraits of Hippocrates represent the physician with a noble face and impressive body to match his intellectual attributes. Various dignified ancient busts have been said to represent Hippocrates, yet no original Greek portraits have survived; hence, our evidence comes from Roman copies


His concern was rather with the physician’s duties than his “rights”. Hence the greatest legacy of Hippocrates: the Hippocratic Oath.

[Sparrowhawk]

http://www.rts.edu/quarterly/winter98/hipp2.jpg



The Oath of Hippocrates had usually figured at least ceremonially in medical school graduations, even if his principles were beginning to be forgotten. But even this ceremonial reverence was dropped after 1973, when in Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Oath as a guide to medical ethics and practice.

[OJK]

I took that oath with my graduating class back in 1952. We believed it then and, I think, most of us of that class still do.

Things seem to have gone downhill since then. Greedy physicians hold their share of the blame but, I think that government programs, insurance plans, medical institutions and, last but not least, greedy lawyers are part of the problem and are more than willing to let physicians take the blame.

In any event, I've been retired some nine years now and am glad to not be a part of it any more.

Semper Fi.

[Phantom Blooper]

OJK, You are right in you words.I remember as a child the doctor coming by the house.As far as I know payment was made in cash,and sometimes gave medicine from the black bag. A few weeks ago I had a aunt that passed away because her HMO would not okay the treatment that would have kept her alive.They were going through the beauracratic B.S.with no regard for a patients demise.At her and the families expense,for approximately six weeks prior to her death.I respect medical viewpoints,and I do not agree with the high cost of insurances for malpractice. However,as in any other profession sometimes the bedside manner leaves alot to be desired.And there is not enough space on the the Internet for me to to talk about politicians and lawyers.Semper-Fi!! Chuck Hall:marine:

[ivalis]

There are some that rail against the possibility of national health care because of the presumed buracracy involved. The only difference between the private & public buracracies is the profit motive.

[lurchenstein]

The only difference between the private & public buracracies is the profit motive.

I don't see that making a great deal of difference. When the emphasis is on money instead of service, the outcome will be pretty much the same, be it government-run or industry-run. Seems like losses are mostly reported in terms of dollars & cents as opposed to actual affect on our lives. (If you care more about the money, it shows.)

[jdfairman]

Its not about the beauracracy involved. Its about practicality. The government does not OWE people free health care.

[Phantom Blooper]

No one is asking for free health care. And it is about the beauracracy in Washington. The price gouging of medicine. The outrageous costs for insurance for both the patient and the doctor. Adequate health care should be given to all regardless. Lt after you fulfill your obligation to the Marine Corps see if you still feel that way when you don't have free health care from the Navy and you have to use the private sector, TriCare, or the VA.And your supplemental insurance is hit first if you are not rated SC or your premiums rise each year regardless of your ability to pay.When the hospitals don't have adequate supplies or personel to give treatment properly. And some kid just out of nursing school is put on a double shift because of a hiring freeze works a year or so and either transfers jobs because of burnout,or is layoff because of the inability to be payed. If you do get out after your obligation,run for the Senate or Congress.I thought the same way when I was on active duty. Now I am politically incorrect and very proud of it. Semper-Fi!! Chuck Hall:marine: