前天參加老三的白袍加身典禮 (White Coat Ceremony)。這是醫學院的傳統典禮，在開學之際，由教務長或主任替他們一個一個披上白色醫生袍，代表宣告一段旅程的開始。

最令我感動的是最後這群未來準醫生的宣誓。當他們起立時，坐在一旁的老二也站起來與他們一起宣讀。我看著他的表情，覺得這份宣言對他應該更具意義，因為再幾個月他就要結束住院醫生的階段， 真正要開始執行獨當一面的任務。面對病人，但願他們都永遠不忘今日和當年的誓言。

誓言起源於希臘傳統，今日很多學校採用新的改良版本。我試翻譯如下:

就我畢生能力和判斷所及，我在此鄭重宣誓恪守以下誓約﹕

我敬重醫療前輩們得來不易的醫學成果，我也願意將我的所知所學與他人分享

我會使用於病人有益的醫術，避免過度和沒有必要的治療

我謹記醫療是藝術也是科學，溫暖同情和理解有時比手術刀和藥物有效

當同僚的醫術對病人的康復更有幫助，我不在乎承認自己不足也不羞於求助

我尊重病人不願公開的隱私，特別是面臨生死抉擇的關口

若我救活病人，我感謝。若我被授權取去病人生命，知道人的脆弱和卑微，我不會以為自己可以取代神。

我知道自己面對的不止是癌症或發燒的病毒，而是病人的家庭和社會的安定，因為如果沒有照顧好病人， 這些都會連帶受波及。

我會盡全力防止疾病發生，因為知道預防勝于治療

我會牢記自己是這社會的一員，除了體弱病人，我對週遭同胞和的身心健康同樣責無旁貸

但願我在有生之年能仁心仁術，永不忘懷今天所給予我的使命

但願我永遠都熱愛這份幫助別人，醫治病人的工作

但願我永遠保持醫生優良的傳統，至死不渝。

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Classic Version of the Hippocratic Oath (傳統版)

I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfil according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:

To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art - if they desire to learn it - without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken an oath according to the medical law, but no one else.

I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.

What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself, holding such things shameful to be spoken about.

If I fulfil this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.

*****

Modern Version of the Hippocratic Oath (現代版)

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.