Medical Ethics (book)

Medical Ethics; or, a Code of Institutes and Precepts, Adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons
Title page for Medical Ethics; or, a Code of Institutes and Precepts, Adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons (1849 printing)
AuthorThomas Percival
LanguageEnglish
SubjectPublic health
Medical ethics
Published1803
PublisherCambridge University Press
Publication placeEngland
Media typePrint

Medical Ethics; or, a Code of Institutes and Precepts, Adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons is a medical book focused on public health and medical ethics. It was written by English physician Thomas Percival and published in 1803. The book is widely regarded as the first on public health and ethics in medicine.[1] Prior to 1803 medical ethics was more focused on medical etiquette. Medical Ethics was the first book to coin the term "medical ethics". The book "adopts a holistic approach to patient care"[2] and set the standard for many future textbooks.[3]

  1. ^ "Medical Ethics; or a Code of Institutes and Precepts adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons". Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal. 13 (26): 711–712. 1849-12-26. PMC 2488117.
  2. ^ Sokol, Daniel K. (2009-05-14). "Medical Ethics or, a Code of Institutes and Precepts Adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons". The BMJ. 338 (26): 711–712. doi:10.1136/bmj.b1936. PMC 2488117.
  3. ^ Waddington, Ivan (1975). "The Development of Medical Ethics – A Sociological Analysis". Medical History. 19 (1): 36–51. doi:10.1017/s002572730001992x. PMC 1081608. PMID 1095851.