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

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hospitals .1 4V As we were being molded into physicians, the college was also taking a new form. The building program at City Line was finaUy begun. After many years of hard and conscientious work, by President Frederic H. Barth and others, the funds had all been raised, the difficulties had all been overcome, and the workmen were actually starting to construct our new hospital. Slow- ly but surely, the building began to take shape. We watched in awe as the large red girders were put in place to form the skeleton of our new home. It was becoming a reality. Our dreams were coming true. Then, after more than twenty exams, our last semester of classroom work was ended. At last it was over. We would never have classes and exams again. Brain weary, more from counting the minutes than from studying, we began our clinical training. Suddenly, abruptly, we had more than just eighty- three other classmtaes to look at, talk to, and work with. Our world once again was filled with new names and faces. There were staffmen, nurses, laboratory technicians, and even cashiers and secretaries, all who seemed to have more knowledge and experience than we in this new milieu. Suddenly, we were student doctors and had to do things for the first time as if we had been doing them all of our lives. However, the most wonderful aspect of this period was the patients: sick patients, well patients, good patients, bad pa- tients—all a challenge to the budding physician. We took histories, did physi- cals, gave treatments, and began to learn the intricacies of the art of practice. Several people with whom we came in contact in our fourth year made sincere efforts to prepare us for the future. The Radiology department, Drs. Gilhgan, Swift, Meals, and TUley, were perhaps the most stimulating. They corrected, heckled, and kidded each other and each of us and succeeded in making us correlate all that we knew with what we saw. Dr. James, as he performed postmortums and examined gross specimens remained aware that we were students and that he was a teacher. Dr. Herman Kohn and Dr. Lester Eisenberg made our surgery and obstetrical services profitable. Dr. Gerald Scharf reduced the maze of electrocardiography to its basic logical essentials. To all of these and to the many other men and women, on the clinic and hospital staffs, who were always by our side when we needed them, and who served to further our education, we say, thank you. Four years have gone by since first we entered the P.C.O. family. Four years of hard work, of trials and tribulations, of happiness and sorrow, all with the speed of four minutes. All of this will soon be a memory, but it has left its mark indelibly upon us. Here we have grown to be physicians in an environment which is rapidly approaching the ideal. No matter where the future will lead us, we will always be a part of P.C.O. 21

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OSTEOPATHIC OATH: I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter. I will be mindful always of my great responsibilitity to preserve the health and life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect, both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor, and fidelity, to perform faithfully my profes- sional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgement and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature ' s laws and the body ' s inherent capacity for recovery. I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will in any way bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession. 1 will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it be asked of me. I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation and never by word or by act cast imputions upon them or their right- ful practices. I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college, I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me. I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathy which were first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still. to our goal. HIPPOCRATIC OATH: I swear by Apollo the physi- cian, and Aesculapius, and all the gods, and goddesses that according to my ability and judgement: 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 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 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 promote 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 practi- tioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go unto them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and further from the seduction of females or males, or free- men 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 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.