My late father, Dr. Stephen Bennett Yohalem, spent much of his later
years musing over the wording of the Hippocratic Oath and what it
committed him to do and not do. (He was also an amateur historian.)
Recently I was reading a novel set during the Fourth Crusade in which
a Jewish doctor said, "First, do no harm," which of course comes from
the Oath -- and I'm pretty sure Jewish doctors did not swear by Apollo
in the 13th century!

So I began to wonder when (and where) the Oath was revived for
students at modern medical schools, and if any exclusions are
permitted for those doctors who would rather not swear by Apollo. (My
father had no problem with Apollo. Swearing by God would have annoyed
him.)

Has anyone here any idea when the Oath became common among modern
secular medical schools? Or anyplace one could look for this
information?

Personal replies very welcome.

Thanks very much!

John Yohalem
atsarisborn@hotmail.com