The Hippocratic oath is an ancient Greek oath and the first explicit expression of medical ethics. It is still a simbolic ritual for many novel doctors nowadays. It involves promises made by new doctors, for instance, related to confidentiality with the patients and to the principle of non-maleficence. This principle of non-maleficence states that it is preferable not to harm the patient to a greater extent, than to do good to him/her.
The Declaration of Geneva was adopted in 1948 as a revision of the Hippocratic Oath, aiming to adapt it to modern times. It has been subsequently amended in 1968, 1983, 1994 and 2017.
One important change between the two of them, is the replacement of the idea of "life and health" contained in the first, by just "health" of the patient as the doctort's main consideration. These somehow reflects a change of mentality in the society and in the profession, as it discards the idea of extending life at all costs.
