There are 541 members of Congress. Under 16 names listed as profession these are the medical doctors (14 Representatives and two Senators: family medicine specialists Rep. Vic Snyder, John C. Fleming, Paul Broun, and Del. Donna Christian-Christensen; psychiatrist Rep. Jim McDermott; 0b/gyns Sen. Tom Coburn and Reps. Michael C. Burgess, Ron Paul, Phil Roe, and Phil Gingrey; allergist Rep. Steve Kagen; hepatologist/gastroenterologist Rep. Bill Cassidy; heart surgeon Rep. Charles Boustany; radiation oncologist Rep. Parker Griffith; orthopedic surgeons Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Tom Price).
Gentlemen, and Ms Christian-Christensen, This is the Hippocratic Oath, remember?
“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 prescribe regimens for the good of the people according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
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 to 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.”
Physician, heal thyself.
