Page:The growth of medicine from the earliest times to about 1800.djvu/103

 While Puschmann does not say to what period in the history of these temples his statement applies, it is safe to assume that he had in mind only the earlier stages. When the systematic teachings of medical pupils began, those physicians who gave the instruction—viz., the Asclepiadae who were not at the same time priests—took up their abode somewhere in the neighborhood of the temple. Thus, medical schools were formed at different places, those of Rhodes, Crotone, Cyrene, Cos and Cnidus attaining the greatest celebrity. The pupil paid a fee for his instruction, and when his training was believed to be completed he was admitted into the association or brotherhood of the Asclepiadae upon taking the following oath, which for ages past has been known as "The Hippocratic Oath," but which is now believed to have been formulated long before the time of Hippocrates:—

THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH

I swear by Apollo the Physician and Aesculapius, and Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and all the goddesses—and I make them my judges—that this mine oath and this my written engagement I will fulfil as far as power and discernment shall be mine.

Him who taught me this art I will esteem even as I do my parents; he shall partake of my livelihood, and, if in want, shall share my goods. I will regard his issue as my brothers and will teach them this art without fee or written engagement if they shall wish to learn it.

I will give instruction by precept, by discourse, and in all other ways, to my own sons, to those of him who taught me, to disciples bound by written engagements and sworn according to medical law, and to no other person.

So far as power and discernment shall be mine, I will carry out regimen for the benefit of the sick and will keep them from harm and wrong. To none will I give a deadly drug even if solicited, nor offer counsel to such an end; likewise to no woman will I give a destructive suppository; but guiltless and hallowed will I keep my life and mine art. I will cut no one whatever for the stone, but will give way to those who work at this practice.

Into whatsoever houses I shall enter I will go for the benefit of the sick, holding aloof from all voluntary wrong and corruption, including venereal acts upon the bodies of females and males