ヒポクラテスに帰れ

現代医学の反省として言われていることば　「ヒポクラテスに帰れ」

ヒポクラテス：紀元前460年頃～375年頃のギリシャの医師。
医術の数々の偉業を成し遂げ、現代医学の祖（父）とされている人物。
現代医学の歴史はヒポクラテスから始まります。欧米諸国では、医師になるためにはヒポクラテスの宣誓を行います。

ヒポクラテスの誓い

The Oath of Hippocrates
I swear by Apollo the Physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and this stipulation-to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regiment which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadlymedicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel ; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art.
I will not cut persons l aboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times ! But should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot!

ヒポクラテスの医学の特色は、病状を正確に観察し記述する。病気よりも病人の現状を全体としてとらえ、将来の経過を正しく予知しようとする。環境条件が病気の発生や経過さらに人の体質気質に及ぼす影響を明らかにし、病気を自然現象として見る。粘液や胆汁などのいわゆる体液によって発病のメカニズムを合理的に説明しようとする。骨折や脱臼などの負傷に対し独特の包帯のしかたや整復のための補助器具を説く。病気の治療法としては自然の回復力を重視しする。要するに、病気を生物に起こる自然現象として土地や気候を含む環境全体の中においてとらえた考え方である。

ヒポクラテスがおこなった治療で、有名なものに「日光療法」があります。
薬物療法や対症療法に頼りすぎた現代医学の反省点として、欧米では医療そのものを見直し、
『ヒポクラテスに帰れ！』と多くの医師たちが声を上げています。