Don't get old...

[jonren]

"I swear by Apollo the healer, by Aesculapius, by Health and all the powers of healing, and call to witness all the gods and goddesses that I may keep this Oath and Promise to the best of my ability and judgement.
I will pay the same respect to my master in the Science as to my parents and share my life with him and pay all my debts to him. I will regard his sons as my brothers and teach them the Science, if they desire to learn it, without fee or contract. I will hand on precepts, lectures and all other learning to my sons, to those of my master and to those pupils duly apprenticed and sworn, and to none other.
I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgement; I will abstain from harming or wronging any man by it.
I will not give a fatal draught to anyone if I am asked, nor will I suggest any such thing. Neither will I give a woman means to procure an abortion.
I will be chaste and religious in my life and in my practice.
I will not cut, even for the stone, but I will leave such procedures to the practitioners of that craft.
Whenever I go into a house, I will go to help the sick and never with the intention of doing harm or injury. I will not abuse my position to indulge in sexual contacts with the bodies of women or of men, whether they be freemen or slaves.
Whatever I see or hear, professionally or privately, which ought not to be divulged, I will keep secret and tell no one.
If, therefore, I observe this Oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life and in my profession, earning good repute among all men for my time. If I transgress and forswear this oath, may my lot be otherwise."


Amodern versionsays "First do no harm"

[yord]

People are that up themselves they can have no idea of what harm they can do or even what harm is. Is it not better to die in 4 days of hypothermia or 2 years in some fecking nursing home. Ive no idea and neither have you.

"Because of my passion, they say
that ill fortune is on my way.
It doesn't matter
that it might be the devil himself.
I do know how to die

Valentina, Valentina.
I throw myself your way.
If I am going to die tomorrow,
why not, once and for all, today?"

[Libby]

It's a great idea NY particularly for the elderly and also families with babies and small children. So namely, the vulnerable.

[mango]

Oh Death - the poor man's dearest friend,
the kindest and the best.
Welcome the hour my aged limbs
are laid with thee at rest,
The great the wealthy fear thy blow
from pomp and riches torn
But Oh a Blessed relief to those
who weary laden mourn.

[Burns]

[Libby]

Getting old and still having your faculties i guess is ok, but through years of working with the elderly, there are more things to fear than death. Dementia and Alzheimers for example, both terrifying and seemingly endless ways to die for the poor old folk who succumb to these tragedies.

[mango]

Libby, when I was doing mobile hairdressing - I did two nursing homes 2 days a week. It was a complete eye opener & to be honest at the end of the first day I just sat in my car & wondered if I'd return...
I did and managed to go every week for a couple of years, saw things I'd rather not have seen & obviously got to know a few of them really well
Visitors for some are a rare treat, and often a 'duty' thing.
I tried to spoil them individually, one of the old ladies liked coleslaw with her salad but the kitchen staff couldn't manage that ! so I'd take her a small tub marked with her name

There was an old man who remembered 'Fisherman's Friends' so I always took him a packet... and so on

I did a course - of my own accord - on how to lift etc., just to make my own job easier and so as not to depend on already overworked staff. I'd help to feed them too in the lunch break.

The old girls loved having their hair do's and nails manicured, also the old guys felt better after their buzz cuts and their bushy eyebrows trimmed
The average person may think they know the horrors of nursing homes but unless you've experienced it....

you're right, death is the least to dread

[yord]

"Pensioners should have free electricity and gas, I would even pay more tax for this to happen."

What you mean is that you'd like us all to pay more tax otherwise youd allready be giving every penny to the gits, or do you really think that the government has to take this extra money from you as your too feckin incapable of actualy giving it with free will ? Yeah well feck them , let them freeze to death.

[yord]

without a clear view of your death there cant be any order or the appreciation of beauty. With it comes the courage to be patient and acquiescent without being a dumb git