Hippocrates and How Medicine Should Be Practiced

History on Hippocrates and How He Practiced Medicine 

Hippocrates

Hippocrates is given credit for being the father of modern medicine .His belief of the practice of medicine was as follows "Hippocratic practice of medicine was humble and passive. The therapeutic approach was based on "the healing power of nature" ("vis medicatrix naturae" in Latin). According to this doctrine, the body contains within itself the power to re-balance and heal itself (physis).Hippocratic therapy focused on simply easing this natural process. To this end, Hippocrates believed "rest and immobilization [were] of capital importance." In general, the Hippocratic, practice of medicine was very kind to the patient; treatment was gentle, and emphasized keeping the patient clean and sterile. For example, only clean water or wine were ever used on wounds, though "dry" treatment was preferable. Soothing balmswere sometimes employed.

Hippocrates was reluctant to administer medicine and engage in specialized treatment that might prove to be wrongly chosen; generalized therapy followed a generalized diagnosis. However, potent drugs were used on certain occasions. This passive approach in practice of medicine was very successful in treating relatively simple ailments such as broken bones which required traction to stretch the skeletal system and relieve pressure on the injured area. The Hippocratic bench and other devices were used to this end."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates.

The Hippocratic Oath

Hippocratic Oath

Doctors know days take the Hippocratic Oath before they begin practicing medicine. The oath credited to Hippocrates states:

"I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:

To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art; and that by my teaching, I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, and to my teacher's sons, and to disciples bound by an indenture and oath according to the medical laws, and no others.

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone. 

I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion. But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art. 

In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life."(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath). I believe the highlighted parts of this should be followed whole heartily by all who presume to give counsel in healing the body. According to Doctor David Christopher in his course the vitalist videos has taught that Hippocrtes lived on a island and because of his practice of medicine as described bove the island was disease free for two years because he taught the people to eat healthy as well as  the methods that he used in practice  of medicine. My humble belief  is if we where to live in this way there would be a the least less disorders in our life.