The Corpus of Hippocrates is a collection of early medical works written and inspired by the ancient Greek physician and his students. Containing lectures, research, and philosophical essays on medicine, the Corpus is one of the earliest medical texts in human history. With actual case studies from the ancient world , it"s a fascinating peek into the history of medicine that aspiring doctors read to this day. Most prominent among its seventy essays is The Hippocratic Oath, a manifesto of medical ethics. Its preamble is still traditionally sworn by physicians before entering practice. It begins: "I swear by Apollo Physician ... and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant."