Hippocrates, the father of Medicine

Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician considered today to be the father of medicine. His life is estimated to be between 460 BCE and 370 BCE. He was born in Kos, a small island in the Aegean Sea, Greece. He became known for writing the “Hippocratic Corpus,” a collection of works containing medical observations, therapeutic methods, and general medical principles.

Hippocrates advocated for a scientific approach to medicine, emphasizing observation, data collection, and logical thinking. His influence on medicine is immense, and his name is closely tied to the scientific approach in medical practice. Even today, young doctors in Western civilization take an oath based on a modern version of the “Hippocratic Oath,” which serves as a code of ethics and includes principles and commitments that a physician should uphold in the execution of their medical duties. The oath expresses principles such as ethics, confidentiality, impartiality, and a commitment to always serve the patient’s well-being.