Page:A short history of nursing - Lavinia L Dock (1920).djvu/397

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381
A Short History of Nursing

Appendix II 381 is sometimes ascribed wrongly to Miss Nightingale's authorship. Its relationship to the old oath of medi- cine is quite plain. "I solemnly pledge myself before God, and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I will ab- stain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harm- ful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keep- ing and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I en- deavour to aid the physician in his work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care. " Mrs. Cadwalader Jones, a member of the Board of Managers of the City Hospital, New York, is the author of another version of the Hippocratic oath. It runs as follows : "You do solemnly swear, each by whatever she holds most sacred: "That you will be loyal to the physicians under whom you serve, as a good soldier is loyal to his officers. "That you will be just and generous to all worthy members of your profession, aiding them when it will be in your power to do so. "That you will live your lives and lead your pro- fession in uprightness and honour. "That into whatsoever house you shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of your power, and that you will hold yourselves aloof from all temptation.