HIPPOCRATIC OATH

HIPPOCRATIC OATH

THE Hippocratic oath is oft referred to by plebs like me who are not members of the Magic Circle (ok not that oft – but occasionally) so as I have more than a passing interest in what drives the meds, I thought I would take a look at it. That was my first mistake, because I quickly found out that it isn’t an it they’re a them.

Now you’ve re read that last bit 3 times I’ll explain. I had naively assumed that worldwide, there would be an oath which was sworn to by all doctors, which was simply a translation of the original used by those who followed Hippocrates. Not a chance. It transpires that the ancient oath has, for the most part been replaced by versions which are more fitting to the practice of witchcraft in the modern world. I say versions, because there appear to be quite a few different ones which are used depending upon location, religion and for all I know, the likely success of the students swearing it. This should be a cause for concern and I’ll explain why. The original oath is pretty damn clear about the subject of abortion, whereas many modern versions kind of skip this bit, thereby allowing huge incomes for U.S. doctors. I don’t want to axe grind on the subject one way or the other but that’s a bit bloody convenient isn’t it. If they’re allowed to revise it to suit themselves, what’s to stop them changing the first bit "Primum non nocere" (first, do no harm) to "do no harm to thin people" (I declare an interest) or "do no harm at weekends"? I think the least we can expect is a worldwide standard, particularly from a bunch of people who in general, make MI6 look like a load of publicity seekers. I hate the phrase but this is one occasion when I really would like to see them all "sing from the same song sheet". The only alternative I can see is for large posters to be placed on each doctors door indicating just who the hell you are dealing with. Extracting from old and new versions, something like:-

Do no harm - Yes/No/Maybe/Weekends

Apply all measures for the benefit of the sick - Yes/No/Why

Remember medicine is art as well as science - Yes/Don’t be stupid

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. - Yes/You’re just winding me up aren’t you?

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. - Yes/Don’t understand the question.

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves. - If I must/Why the hell do you think I do this?

In my experience there are two really important bits which are inextricably linked. Not remembering that medicine is an art as well as a science is where so many technically competent doctors fall down, because they have nowhere to go if they are to admit to not knowing. This is a fundamental which many fail to grasp. Unless you are 200% certain that you know the answer, don’t bet your life on it. More to the point don’t bet my life on it. Tell me once that you don’t know the answer to something and I’ll follow you to hell and back when you say that you do. Even tell me you’re not sure and I’ll probably go with whatever you suggest, but bullshit me and I may as well ask the cleaner. Both politically and spiritually I believe that blind faith is the retreat of idiots; when it comes to something a little more serious like the dead/alive equation, I don’t think I’m alone in wanting a little more than "because I say so".

I am seriously lucky to be dealing and to have dealt, with Wizards who are honest and tell it like it is. This in my particular case is where the "art" comes in; they have accurately assessed that the only way they can harm me (weekends and weekdays) is for me to lose confidence in their honesty. Six months ago – and it’s still on the opening page of this blog, I wrote "It is the unknown, the shadowy stuff, that normally causes fear." and "I distinctly remember telling my consultant that the only things I was frightened of were things I didn't understand.". I think that if I have written anything worth remembering it is contained in those two phrases. Why the hell I’ve been writing for six months is beyond me – I cracked it in the first 24 hours.