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Hippocratic Oath

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This article is about the Hippocratic Oath. You may be looking for the DS9 episode "Hippocratic Oath".

The Hippocratic Oath was an oath taken by Human medical doctors. It was a moral code of medical ethics developed by Hippocrates on Earth in the 5th century.

Specifics[]

It was a code of honor among Starfleet medical personnel adopted while a cadet. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Starfleet Academy Narrator's Guide)

A Starfleet chief medical officer was bound by the Oath and his duty. (Last Unicorn RPG modules: Star Trek: The Original Series Core Game Book, Star Trek: The Next Generation Players' Guide) As such, a doctor was obligated to reject the orders or wishes of a commanding officer if they conflicted with a patient's treatment instructions or the doctor's medical opinion. (Star Trek Adventures RPG module: The Sciences Division)

Human doctors were strongly bound by the oath. (Decipher RPG module: Worlds)

Vulcan doctors attending the Vulcan Medical Academy were similarly bound. (Last Unicorn RPG module: The Way of Kolinahr: The Vulcans)

Denobulan medical ethics considered a patient's wishes paramount, and would allow a patient to die in defiance of the Oath. (ENT episode: "The Breach")

The oath was often paraphrased as "First, do no harm...". (TOS novel: Demons, TNG novel: Q-Space, ST - Typhon Pact novel: Zero Sum Game)

Original text[]

“I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.” (TOS novel: Seasons of Light and Darkness)

"To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug, nor give advice which may cause his death. But I will preserve the purity of my life and my art. I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest. I will leave this operation for practitioners (specialists in the art)... If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot." (TOS reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual)

Revised edition text[]

"In the ancient names of Apollo the Physician, and Aesculapius, and by Health and Allheal his daughters, I swear this oath — though chiefly by the One above Them, Whose Name we do not know. I swear to wield my art in such ways, and only in such ways, as serve to preserve sentient life in its myriad forms, or to allow such life to depart in dignity. I shall turn aside from every act, or inaction, which would allow any being's life to depart untimely. Into whatever place I go for the healing of the sick, I shall hold such things as I see there to be as secret as the holy Mysteries. I swear to perform no procedure in which I am unqualified. Nor shall I use my position as a tool in the seduction of any being. I will teach this, my art, without fee or stipulation, to other disciples bound to it by oath, should they desire to learn it; and I shall hold the ones who taught me the art as close as family, and help them in their need should they require it. I ask the Power Which hears oaths to hear me swear this one. As long as I keep it, may I stand rightfully in the respect of my fellow beings: but should I break it, may the reverse be my lot." (TOS novel: Doctor's Orders)

History[]

Dr. Revati Jendra faced conflicts between the oath and the Prime Directive on planet NGC 667 while aiding the Grennai, including resigning from Starfleet in order to continue assisting them. (TOS - Constellations short story: "First, Do No Harm")

Leonard McCoy displayed a framed copy of the Oath in his quarters aboard the USS Excelsior in 2285. (TOS comic: "The Last Word")

In 2293, he joked that the fine print underneath the oath permitted a doctor to relax from time to time. (TOS novel: Shadows on the Sun)

In a graduate speech for sciences division cadets at Starfleet Academy in the early 24th century, Federation Science Council Admiral T'Malass Ch'ton cited the Oath as an essential component for officers allowing Starfleet to reach its goals. (Star Trek Adventures RPG module: The Sciences Division)

In 2371, the first sentence of the Hippocratic Oath ("First, do no harm") passed through Doctor Fitzgerald's mind when he was fatally injured during USS Voyager's transport into the Delta Quadrant by the Caretaker. (VOY novelization: Caretaker)

Dr. Julian Bashir wrote an article, "The Ethics of Treatment", detailing various components that went into medical choices, including the Oath. (Star Trek Adventures RPG module: The Sciences Division)

The Doctor was programmed to obey the Oath. He cited it before assisting a patient while aboard a Dinaali hospital ship in 2377. (VOY episode: "Critical Care")

In 2380, Deanna Troi wondered if Dr. Shenti Yisec Eres Ree thought the Oath might mean "First, do no permanent harm" after his treatment of Tuvok and a Pa'haquel. (TTN novel: Orion's Hounds)

Appendices[]

References[]

External links[]

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