“I swear!” Physician oaths and their current relevance

Most graduating medical students will take some sort of oath that is to inspire them to take their proper place in the comradeship of physicians and remind them of their obligations to their patients, society, and their profession. The nature of these oaths has changed over the years as society itself has changed. What may be considered moral, ethical, or legal at one time can appear quaint or outrageous in another time and place. Several classic and newer oaths can be compared and contrasted in what they are tasking the newly minted physician to do.