Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Synapsis Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 9 text:

HIPPOCRATIC OATH I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea, and all the gods, and goddesses that according to my ability and judg- ment: I will keep this oath and this stipulation — to 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 instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the 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 other, I will follow the system of regime which, according to my ability and judgment, 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 holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into what- ever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every vol- untary act of mischief and corruption; and further from the seducton of females or males, or freemen and slaves. Whatever in connection with my pro- fessional practice or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not be spoken of abroad. I will not divulge as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep oath unvio- lated, 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 tresjDass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot!

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dedication The physician as we would know him is a man of many facets. Each in his own mind hohls those quaHties which are believed to exemplify the professional man. Some hold that to be a successful physician one must be well versed in nii-di- cine, display cool logic and exceptional diagnostic acumen. Others feel that to be an eternal student, ever searching for new ideas and methods is the key to greatness. It may be that a great deal of compensation in medicine comes from being a dedicated teacher, and seeing those whom you have helped to mold go off into the field of practice. In addition, many are sure that the mark of a fine physician is his inter-relationships with his fellow man and his actions as a gentleman. Who is to determine which of these qualities is most im- portant, and for which we will strive? This is a debatable point. There is, however, one point clear — that is that Dr. Edwin Cressman, to whom we dedicate this book, represents the highest example of all those qualities we have mentioned. He is a teacher, scholar, physician, and above all a gentleman in the highest sense of the word. Our encounter, however brief, has enriched our stay at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy, and set an example that we may well follow in the years to come. It is fitting for a man who has spent a great part of his time teaching, to be honored by his students. We your students. Dr. Cressman, have learned our lesson well, and to you we dedicate this 1961 Synapsis. Dr. Edwin Cressman