Page:A short history of nursing - Lavinia L Dock (1920).djvu/352

336 336 A Short History of Nursing and of personal integrity. The professional code of ethics is simply an effort to standardize these moral obligations to society. We have no better example of such a code, than that of the Hippo- cratic Oath which has been handed down from the fifth century before Christ. Though it is understood that all professional work shall be paid and though no professional body can do its best work unless it is well paid, it is generally agreed that the work itself must come first, and not personal profit. The professional man or woman who thinks solely or chiefly of money or personal comfort or personal advance- ment, violates the first principles of professional service. The same would be true of any member of a profession who would sacrifice the public good for his own selfish interests. Most professional bodies are bound together by a strong feeling of brotherhood, and by an intense loyalty to the profession itself and to its traditions. This professional spirit, though sometimes tending toward exclusiveness and selfishness, also helps to raise the morale of the group, holds weaker mem- bers up to a higher standard of service, and in this way makes for the protection of the public and the advancement of the profession. Nursing undoubtedly compares favourably with