Part 3 – A Light From Many Lamps – Hippocrates
Do I will lead my life and practice my art in uprightness and honour – Hippocrates
Hippocrates is considered the “Father of Medicine” by many physicians today and throughout history (Watson, 1951, p. 180). As he was reaching the age of his death, Hippocrates reflected on his life and the impact that his methods, teachings, and character had on the lives of other disciples of medicine. However, he noticed that something was missing. Even though character and personal integrity were of fundamental importance in the practice of medicine, Hippocrates recognized that this needed to be in writing (p. 180-181). Therefore, Hippocrates drafted an oath of integrity for physicians, also known today as the “Hippocratic Oath” (p. 182). This is the original oath that Hippocrates himself penned:
I do solemnly swear by that which I holt most sacred:
That I will be loyal to the profession of medicine and just and generous to its members;
The I will lead my life and practice my art in uprightness and honor;
That into whatsover house I shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of my power, I holding myself aloof from wrong, from corruption, and from the tempations of others to vice;
That I will exercise my art solely for the cure of my patients, and will give no drug, perform no operation for a criminal purpose, even if solicited, for less suggest it;
That whatsover I shall hear of the lives of men which is not fitting to be spoken, I will keep inviolably secret.
These things I do promise, and in proportion as I am faithful to this my oath may happiness and good repute be ever mine – the opposite if I shall be forsworn.
The most recent one says this:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.
I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help. (NOVA, 2001)
Though it was written specifically for physicians, the Hippocratic Oath sets an enduring pattern of honour, integrity, and devotion to duty for all people, in all professions (Watson, 1951, p. 182). I think about this in regards to my calling as an Officer/Pastor with The Salvation Army. We as well have a covenant that we sign upon being ordained that says:
MY COVENANT
CALLED BY GOD
to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
as an officer of The Salvation ArmyI BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT
to love and serve him supremely all my days,
to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life,
to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends,
to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace to prove myself a worthy officer.
Done in the strength of my Lord and Saviour, and in the presence of (the following wording to be adapted to local circumstances) the Territorial Commander, training college officers and fellow cadets.
My observations with this are how similar the Hippocratic Oath and my own Officer’s Covenant is. I understand that all the medical language and the religious language would have to move removed. However, the premise is the same regardless of which one you look at, which is: Be of good character, integral, honourable, and be in devotion to duty for all people – be it spiritually or physically.
Question: Are there any professions that shouldn’t have a covenant/oath?
References:
NOVA. (2001, March 27). The Hippocratic Oath Today. Retrieved October 31, 2018, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/hippocratic-oath-today/
Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.