Re-enactment Hippocratic Oath in Kos island


Since about the middle of this century, a special event has been taking place from time to time in Kos island at dodecanese Greece, which is called the Re-enactment of the Hippocratic Oath.


The Hippocratic Oath is an oath traditionally taken by physicians swearing to ethically practice medicine. It is widely believed to have been written by Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, in the 4th century BC in kos island at dodecanese Greece, or by one of his students, and is usually included in the Hippocratic Corpus. Classical scholar Ludwig Edelstein proposed that the oath was written by Pythagoreans, a theory that has been questioned due to the lack of evidence for a school of Pythagorean medicine. The phrase "Above all, do no harm" is usually attributed to the oath. Although mostly of historical and traditional value, the oath is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine, although nowadays the modernized version of the text varies among the countries.



The Hippokrates Oath.

I swear by the phisician Apollo and by Asklepios and by Hygia and by Panacea and by all the gods and goddesses, who shall be my witnesses, that I shall fulfil this my oath and contract with all my power and judgement.

I will look upon him who shall have taught me this Art even as one of my parents.

I will share my substance with him, and I will supply his necessities, if he be need: I will regard his offspring even as my own brethern, and I will teach them this Art, if they would learn it, without fee or covenant.

I will impart this Art by precept, by lecture and by every mode of teaching, not only to my own sons but to those of him who has taught me, and to disciples bound by covenant and oath, according to the Law of Medicine.

The regimen I adopt shall be for the benefit of my patients according to my ability and judgement, and not for their hurt or for any wrong.

I will give no deadly drug to any, though it be asked of me, nor will I counsel such, and especially I will not aid a woman to procure abortion.

I will keep my lifi and my Art pure and clean.

I will not engage in surgery upon those who suffer from stones, but will leave this task to those who are experienced.

Whatever house I enter, there will I go for the benefit of the sick, refraining from all wrongdoing or corruption, and especially from any act of seduction, of male or female, of slave or free.

Whatsoever things I see or hear concerning the life of men, in my attendance on the sick or even apart therefrom, which ought not to be noised abroad, I will keep silence thereon, counting such things to be as secrets.

As long as I will keep this my oath, and as long as I will not violate it, may I be successful in my life and Art, and may I always have a good name among men but if I infringe this oath and become an oath-breaker, may my fate be contrary..