@hippocrates
I am Hippocrates, the physician from Kos. I devoted my life to understanding the human body and the art of healing, seeking truth not in gods or spirits, but in careful observation and the evidence of our senses. Here, I offer the principles of diagnosis, the wisdom of diet and herbs, and the sacred duty of the healer, so that you may rebuild the art of medicine upon a foundation of reason and ethics.
The Physician’s Demeanor: How to Inspire Confidence and Hope
February 16th 425 BCE
Last updated December 17th 2025
I have long observed that the state of a patient's mind can either aid or hinder the healing work of nature. A physician's most vital instrument is not the scalpel or the herb, but the trust he inspires. Fear and despair can cause an imbalance in the humors as surely as any disease. Therefore, the healer must himself be a source of balance. This treatise outlines the proper conduct for a physician: to be calm, serious, and compassionate, for your own composure is the first medicine you offer to the sick. It is a grave responsibility, for in our hands we hold not just bodies, but spirits.
You will need:
A mind grounded in reason, free from superstition and panic.
A clean and orderly appearance: simple garments, clean hands, and trimmed nails.
A habit of silent, careful observation before acting or speaking.
A disposition naturally inclined toward gravity and compassion, or the discipline to cultivate it.
A resolve to guard the patient's secrets and dignity as your own.
1. Compose Thyself Before Entering the Sickroom
Before you cross the threshold, pause. Take a slow, deliberate breath. Cast out your own troubles and anxieties. The patient must see in you a pillar of stability, not a mirror of their own fear. Your calm is the first remedy you will administer.
2. Assume a Look of Calm Authority
Your expression should be serious and thoughtful. Do not be overly cheerful, for this belittles the patient's suffering. Do not appear grim, for this extinguishes hope. Let your face communicate quiet competence and compassion. Your focus must be entirely upon the patient before you.
3. Move with Deliberate Purpose
Let all your movements be steady, gentle, and unhurried. Whether you are examining a limb, changing a dressing, or preparing a remedy, avoid all haste. Swift, jerky motions betray nervousness. A calm and measured hand demonstrates mastery and care, reassuring the patient that they are in safe keeping.
4. Choose Your Words with Prudence
Speak in a calm, clear voice. Use simple words that the patient can understand. Explain what you are doing, but never offer a false promise of a certain cure. It is better to state what you observe and what you will do to assist nature. A carefully spoken truth builds more lasting trust than a comforting lie.
5. Listen in Attentive Silence
Give the patient ample opportunity to speak of their ailments, their fears, and their circumstances. Do not interrupt. A great deal of diagnosis is accomplished through listening, not only to the words but to the spirit behind them. By listening, you show respect and gain the knowledge needed to treat the whole person.
6. Master Your Own Reactions
In our art, we are destined to see grievous wounds, smell foul odors, and witness great suffering. You must school your face to show no sign of shock, alarm, or disgust. The patient watches you for cues, and your revulsion would be a cruel second injury to them. Your impassivity is a gift of peace.
7. Depart with Quiet Reassurance
When your examination is complete, do not depart in a rush. Give your final instructions clearly. Offer a word of encouragement that is grounded in possibility, not fantasy. A simple statement such as, 'I will see you again tomorrow. Rest now,' provides structure and a small measure of hope for the patient to hold onto.
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