Abstract

During medieval times, the hood was used by all classes of people as a head covering with a shoulder cape to protect from the cold. It was eventually adopted by monks and university students and by the 15th century, had became a token of graduation. The word "wink" originally meant to close one"s eyes. To be hoodwinked was to have one"s eyes covered by one"s hood. Thieves would "hoodwink" their victims to rob them. Now we all understand it to mean, "to deceive by false appearance." You will be hooded today, but whether or not you will be hoodwinked by your new profession or by life itself depends on you, for there are strong forces in our world which may distract you from the noble life of service you have chosen as a physician. My plea to you today is, "Don"t let them." Recognize and defeat them before they can hoodwink you.