the evolution of modern medicine(现代医药的演变)-第18章
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THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN MEDICINE
the aspirations of the Athenians； likewise illuminated in that remarkable
saying of Prodicus （fifth century B。C。）； 〃That which benefits human life is
God。〃 The Greek view of man was the very antithesis of that which St。
Paul enforced upon the Christian world。 One idea pervades thought from
Homer to Lucian…like an aroma pride in the body as a whole。 In the
strong conviction that 〃our soul in its rose mesh〃 is quite as much helped
by flesh as flesh by the soul the Greek sang his song〃For pleasant is this
flesh。〃Just so far as we appreciate the value of the fair mind in the fair
body；so far do we apprehend ideals expressed by the Greek in every
department of life。 The beautiful soul harmonizing with the beautiful body
was as much the glorious ideal of Plato as it was the end of the education
of Aristotle。 What a splendid picture in Book III of the〃Republic；〃 of the
day when 〃。 。 。 our youth will dwell in a land of health； amid fair sights
and sounds and receive the good in everything；and beauty； the effluence of
fair works； shall flow into the eye and ear like a health…giving breeze from
a purer region； and insensibly draw the soul from earliest years into
likeness and sympathy with the beauty of reason。〃 The glory of this zeal
for the enrichment of this present life was revealed to the Greeks as to no
other people； but in respect to care for the body of the common man； we
have only seen its fulfilment in our own day； as a direct result of the
methods of research initiated by them。 Everywhere throughout the
Hippocratic writings we find this attitude towards life； which has never
been better expressed than in the fine phrase； 〃Where there is love of
humanity there will be love of the profession。〃 This is well brought out in
the qualifications laid down by Hippocrates for the study of
medicine。〃Whoever is to acquire a competent knowledge of medicine
ought to be possessed of the following advantages： a natural disposition；
instruction；a favourable position for the study； early tuition； love of labour；
leisure。 First of all； a natural talent is required； for when nature opposes；
everything else is vain； but when nature leads the way to what is most
excellent； instruction in the art takes place； which the student must try to
appropriate to himself by reflection； becoming a nearly pupil in a place
well adapted for instruction。 He must also bring to the task a love of
labour and perseverance； so that the instruction taking root may bring forth
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proper and abundant fruits。〃 And the directions given for the conduct of
life and for the relation which the physician should have with the public
are those of our code of ethics today。 Consultations in doubtful cases are
advised； touting for fees is discouraged。 〃If two or more ways of medical
treatment were possible； the physician was recommended to choose the
least imposing or sensational； it was an act of 'deceit' to dazzle the
patient's eye by brilliant exhibitions of skill which might very well be
dispensed with。 The practice of holding public lectures in order to increase
his reputation was discouraged in the physician； and he was especially
warned against lectures tricked out with quotations from the poets。
Physicians who pretended to infallibility in detecting even the minutest
departure from their prescriptions were laughed at； and finally； there were
precise by…laws to regulate the personal behaviour of the physician。 He
was enjoined to observe the most scrupulous cleanliness； and was advised
to cultivate an elegance removed from all signs of luxury； even down to
the detail that he might use perfumes；but not in an immoderate degree。〃＇22＇
But the high…water mark of professional morality is reached in the famous
Hippocratic oath；which Gomperz calls 〃a monument of the highest rank in
the history of civilization。〃 It is of small matter whether this is of
Hippocratic date or not； or whether it has in it Egyptian or Indian elements：
its importance lies in the accuracy with which it represents the Greek spirit。
For twenty…five centuries it has been the 〃credo〃 of the profession； and in
many universities it is still the formula with which men are admitted to the
doctorate。
＇21＇ Oxford。 Clarendon Press； 2d ed。； 1911。
＇22＇ Gomperz： Greek Thinkers； Vol。 I； p。 281。
I swear by Apollo the physician and AEsculapius and Health
（Hygieia） and All…Heal （Panacea） and all the gods and goddesses； that；
according to my ability and judgment； I will keep this oath and this
stipulationto reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my
parents； to share my substance with him； and relieve his necessities if
required； to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own
brothers； and to teach them this art；if they shall wish to learn it； without
fee or stipulation； and that by precept；lecture； and every other mode of
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instruction； I will impart a knowledge of my art to my own sons； and those
of my teachers； and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according
to the law of medicine； but to none others。 I will follow that system of
regimen which； according to my ability and judgement；I consider for the
benefit of my patients； and abstain from whatever is deleterious and
mischievous。
I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked； nor suggest any
such counsel； and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to
produce abortion。
With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art。
＇I will not cut persons labouring under the stone； but will leave this to
be done by men who are practitioners of this work。＇
Into whatsoever houses I enter； I will go into them for the benefit of
the sick； and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and
corruption； and；further； from the abduction of females or males； of
freemen and slaves。 Whatever； in connection with my professional
practice； or not in connection with it；I see or hear； in the life of men； which
ought not to be spoken of abroad； I will not divulge； as reckoning that all
such should be kept secret。
While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated； may it be granted to me
to enjoy life and the practice of the art； respected by all men； in all times！
But should I trespass and violate this Oath； may the reverse be my lot！
（Adams； II； 779； cf。 Littre； IV； 628。）
In his ideal republic； Plato put the physician low enough； in the last
stratum； indeed； but he has never been more honorably placed than in the
picture of Athenian society given by this author in the 〃Symposium。〃 Here
the physician is shown as a cultivated gentleman； mixing in the best； if not
always the most sober； society。 Eryxim
