hippocratic

Hippocratic is an adjective relating to Hippocrates or to the medical tradition associated with him. In usage, it often designates ideas, practices, or texts connected with the school or era of ancient Greek medicine attributed to Hippocrates, who lived in the 5th century BCE on the island of Kos and is traditionally regarded as the father of Western medicine.

One prominent bearer of the term is the Hippocratic Oath, a classical pledge historically linked to Hippocrates or his medical milieu. The oath outlines professional ethics for physicians, including duties to patients, confidentiality, and non-maleficence, and it has been revised and recited in various modern forms by medical schools and professional bodies.

The Hippocratic Corpus refers to a collection of ancient Greek medical writings associated with Hippocratic medicine. While not all works can be confidently attributed to Hippocrates himself, they collectively emphasize systematic clinical observation, careful documentation of symptoms and prognosis, and a naturalistic approach to disease. The corpus also discusses humoral theory, diet, lifestyle, and environmental influences on health, alongside early ideas about diagnosis and treatment.

Legacy of the term extends beyond specific texts or oaths. The Hippocratic tradition contributed to a shift toward empirical observation, ethical standards in patient care, and a framework for professional conduct in medicine. Although some humoral concepts have been superseded, the emphasis on observation, patient welfare, and professional responsibility remains central to modern medical practice.