|
strength of my body and of my soul
that they ever be ready to cheerfully help and support rich
and poor, good and bad, enemy as well as friend. In the
sufferer let me see only the human being. Illumine my mind
that it recognize what presents itself and that it may
comprehend what is absent or hidden. Let it not fail to see
what is visible, but do not permit it to arrogate to itself
the power to see what cannot be seen, for delicate and
indefinite are the bounds of the great art of caring for the
lives and health of Thy creatures. Let me never be absent-
minded. May no strange thoughts divert my attention at the
bedside of the sick, or disturb my mind in its silent
labors, for great and sacred are the thoughtful
deliberations required to preserve the lives and health of
Thy creatures.
Grant
that my patients have confidence in me and my art and follow
my directions and my counsel. Remove from their midst all
charlatans and the whole host of of ficious relatives and
know-all nurses, cruel people who arrogantly frustrate the
wisest purposes of our art and often lead Thy creatures to
their death.
Should
those who are wiser than I wish to improve and instruct me,
let my soul gratefully follow their guidance; for vast is
the extent of our art. Should conceited fools, however,
censure me, then let love for my profession steel me against
them, so that I remain steadfast without regard for age, for
reputation, or for honor, because surrender would bring to
Thy creatures sickness and death.
Imbue
my soul with gentleness and calmness when older colleagues,
proud of their age, wish to displace me or to scorn me or
disdainfully to teach me. May even this be of advantage to
me, for they know many things of which I am ignorant, but
let not their arrogance give me pain. For they are old and
old age is not master of the passions. I also hope to attain
old age upon this earth, before Thee, Almighty God!
Let
me be contented in everything except in the great science of
my profession. Never allow the thought to arise in me that I
have attained to sufficient
knowledge, but vouchsafe to me the strength, the leisure and
the ambition ever to extend my knowledge. For art is great,
but the mind of man is ever expanding.
Almighty
God! Thou hast chosen me in Thy mercy to watch over the life
and death of Thy creatures. I now apply myself to my
profession. Support me in this great task so that it may
benefit mankind, for without Thy help not even the least
thing will succeed.
|
1 2 