Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, and was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is referred to as the "father of medicine" in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of medicine.
The Hippocratic Oath (OrkoV) is perhaps the most widely known of Greek medical texts. It requires a new physician to swear upon a number of healing gods that he will uphold a number of professional ethical standards. One of the best known prohibitions is, "to do no harm" (epi dhlhsei de kai adikihi eirxein)
Little is known about who wrote it or first used it, but it appears to be more strongly influenced by followers of Pythagoras than Hippocrates and is often estimated to have been written in the 4th century B.C.E.
Over the centuries, it has been rewritten often in order to suit the values of different cultures influenced by Greek medicine. Contrary to popular belief, the Hippocratic Oath is not required by most modern medical schools.
Humorism
Hippocrates held that illness was due to an imbalance of the four humors
in the body, fluids which were naturally equal in proportion. When the four humors, blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm were unbalanced, a person became sick and would remain that way until the balance was restored. Hippocratic therapy was directed towards this end.
Professionalism
For all of his advancements in medical theory, it was truly in discipline, practice, and strict professionalism that Hippocratic medicine excelled. In the Hippocratic work On the physician, it is recommended that physicians must always be well-kempt, honest, calm, understanding and serious.
The Hippocratic School is famous for its clinical doctrines. These recommend that physicians record their findings and their medicinal methods in a very clear and objective manner, so that these records may be passed down and employed by other physicians. He also...