I pulled the following off another list, and while the references to the
patient as a "man" rather mar the flow, yet in all I think it is
interesting, especially the parts dealing with opposition.  For your
interest, then:

I present for your consideration the Maimonidean Oath.  Moshe ben
Maimon (Moses Maimonides) was a Jewish physician in Moorish Spain and
Egypt in the late 1100's.  He is most famous for his Jewish
scholarship, being the author of the "Mishnah Torah," one of the
foundation documents for Jewish religious law in the Diaspora.
However, he was also a well-known physician, being (I believe) court
physician to the Caliph of Egypt.  He died in 1204.


Exalted God, before I begin the holy work of healing the creations of
your hands, I place my entreaty before the throne of your glory that
you grant strength of spirit and fortitude to faithfully execute my
work.  Let not desire for wealth or benefit blind me from seeing
truth.  Deem me worthy of seeing in the sufferer who seeks my advice
- a person - neither rich nor poor.  Friend or foe, good man or bad--
of a man in distress, show me only the man.

If doctors wiser than me seek to help me to understand, grant me the
desire to learn from them, for the knowledge of healing is boundless.
 But when fools deride me, give me fortitude!  Let my love for my
profession strengthen my resolve to withstand the derision even of
men of high station.  Illuminate the way for me, for any lapse in my
knowledge can bring illness and death upon your creations.  I beseech
you, merciful and gracious God, strengthen me in body and soul, and
instill within me a perfect spirit.

[log in to unmask] (Arly Helm, LC)