The Hippocratic Path to Health Care Reform

The roots of modern medicine reach into Greek History when Hippocrates lived and practiced the first systematic art of Medicine. He lived from about 460 B.C to 377 B.C. and is recognized as the "Father of Modern Medicine". Today we might consider Hippocrates' many contributions as coincidental and irrelevant to the practice of medicine. However, aside from establishing the foundation for the practice of medicine over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates proscribed an Oath referred to as the "Hippocratic Oath" that was intended to be the code of medical ethics at the time. A literal translation available of the Oath is presented below. Clearly, the Oath proscribed by Hippocrates is written during the era of Grecian Gods. Nonetheless, the essential importance of the Oath applies then as now to the purpose of Medical arts and the ethical rules for medical practitioners today as well as then. Here is the Hippocratic Oath translated from the original Greek version as cited in the link above.

I swear by Apollo Physician, and by Asclepius, and by Hygeia, and by Panaceia and by all gods and godesses, making them witnesses, to fulfil, according to my ability and judgement.

To regard my teacher in this art equal to my parents; and to share my livelihood in common with him, and, if he is in need, to make a contribution; and to judge his progeny equal to my brothers of the male line; and to teach this art if they require to learn, without fee or covenant;

To make a contribution of instruction, and lecture, and all the other learning, to my sons, and to those of my teacher, and to pupils who have signed the covenant and sworn to obey the physician’s law, but to none other.

I will use dietary regimes to help the sick according to my ability and judgement and to refrain from harm and injustice.

I will not give to anyone a deadly drug though asked, nor will I suggest a plan of such a kind. Similarly I will not give a woman a destructive pessary.

But in a pure and holy way I will guard my life and my art.

But I will not cut, not even sufferers from stone, but I will give place to workmen who engage in this practice.

Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will go in to help the sick, being without all intentional injustice and corruption, and all the rest and especially without "works of Aphrodite" upon the bodies both of women and men, both of free and slaves.

Whatsoever in the course of attending the sick I see or hear (or even when not attending the sick), concerning the life of men, which ought never be published outside, I will keep silent, considering such things as unutterable.

Now if I fulfil this oath and do not violate it, may I reap, in my life and art, glory among all men for all time; but if I transgress and swear falsely, the opposite of these things. literal translation of the Greek Oath is:


The Hippocratic Oath was the heritage and ethical foundation of all medical doctors in the world until the last century. Different cultures and religious beliefs shaped the exact wording but the most basic feature is virtually identical to the original word by Hippocrates: "Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will go in to help the sick, being without all intentional injustice and corruption, and all the rest and especially without "works of Aphrodite" upon the bodies both of women and men, both of free and slaves." Help for the sick without regard to social or economic status was and still should be the hallmark of medical care. One might take issue with my interpretation of the original wording above, "upon the bodies of of women and men, both of free and slaves" could be meant as help for the sick regardless of social or economic status.How else could it possibly be interpreted?

The original Hippocratic Oath has been rewritten to eliminate reference to Greek Gods and other salient points. An example of a typical revised form used in the USA is as follows:

"I do solemnly swear by whatever I hold most sacred, that I will be loyal to the profession of medicine and just and generous to its members.

That I will do no harm.

That into whatsoever home I shall enter it shall be for the good of the sick and the well to the utmost of my powers and that I will hold myself aloof from wrong and from corruption and from the tempting of others to vice.

That I will exercise my Art solely for the cure of my patients and the prevention of disease and will give no drugs and perform no operation for a criminal purpose and far less suggest such a thing.

That whatsoever I shall see or 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 oath, may happiness and good repute be ever mine, the opposite if I shall be forsworn."

Aside from commentary associated with Grecian Gods the most conspicuous omission in the modern Oath pertains to any reference to economic or social status,as described previously. Why should such an omission exist other than by deliberate or unconscious consent of the medical profession. If deliberate, why? If not, then the time has come to re-insert relevant words into the modern version.

The omission of any reference to providing health services to people regardless of their economic or social status is in my opinion a reality based upon the transition of medical practice from healing and wellness to materialism and profit making. The US medical system has become in large measure a profit center run by insurance companies and medicine-related corporations to earn money. Selective service or declining services to the sick and poor provides a sure way to increase profits.

Hippocrates could never provide the type of medical services he advocated today in the USA. He would we welcome in most advanced countries in the world that provide single-payer health care for all their citizens.

Our country is now embroiled in virtual combat that relishes lies and distortion to prevent any type of health care program for all citizens regardless of ability to pay. Can we all revisit Hippocrates and the original Hippocratic oath to regain our footing and move on to health care parity for all of our citizens. We must all join the Hippocratic path to health care reform to legitimately refer to ourselves as a civilized country.