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equivalent, since the Greeks did not then cut the profession into two—theoretical and practical. The phrase from Aristophanes cited by Littré, Adams, and others indicates that the formula was even popularly familiar. Among the Hippocratic writings is a treatise De Prisca Medicina attributed by Plato to Hippocrates, and justly regarded by Littré as of high value. Textual criticism leads others to look on it as the work of a later sophist; but by whomsoever written, it is a narrative animated by somewhat of the same spirit—the strong desire to maintain the credit and dignity of the profession. The Oath is of great archæological interest. I give a translation of a Latin version, of which there are several, not the least elegant being that formerly administered to graduates before modern ways replaced it by a law declaration in English; the elegant Latin prayer is not yet, I am happy to say, disused on public occasions:
'I swear by Apollo, the physician, and Aesculapius and Hygeia and Panacea, and I call to witness all the gods and goddesses, that I will, to the best of my power and judgment, keep this oath and this written declaration in its integrity. I shall hold him, who has taught me this art, as a parent. I shall devote my life to him, and shall supply him with all of which he has need. I shall regard his sons as my brothers, and, if they wish to be taught, shall teach them this art without fee or indenture. I shall make sharers in the teaching by precepts, and listeners to the oral instruction, and participators of the other modes of instruction, both the sons of my own teacher and those who have bound themselves by indenture and dedicated themselves by the medical oath: but none others. Further, so far as concerns the healing of patients, I shall prescribe to them, as my powers and judgment direct, suitable diet, and shall forbid what is detrimental and injurious. No entreaties shall induce me to give to any one noxious drugs, nor shall I take part in any such counsels. Likewise I shall exhibit to no woman any pessary which shall destroy her fruit at an early or late stage of pregnancy. I shall conduct my life and practise my art in holiness. Nor shall I cut even those who entreat me, but shall leave them to those who practise such surgical operations. Whatever house I enter, I shall do so for the good of the sick, and shall abstain from every hurt or injury,
