黄帝问曰∶诊要何如？岐伯对曰∶正月、二月、天气始方，地气始发，人气在肝；三月
、四月，天气正方，地气定发，人气在脾；五月、六月，天气盛，地气高，人气在头；七月
、八月，阴气始杀，人气在肺；九月、十月，阴气始冰，地气始闭，人气在心；十一月、十
二月，冰复，地气合，人气在肾。故春刺散俞及与分理，血出而止。甚者传气，间者环也。
夏刺络俞，见血而止。尽气闭环，痛病必下。秋刺皮肤，循理，上下同法，神变而止。冬刺
俞窍于分理，甚者直下，间者散下。
春夏秋冬，各有所刺，法其所在。春刺夏分，令人不嗜食，少气。春刺秋分，令人时惊
，
且哭。春刺冬分，令人胀，病不愈，且欲言语。夏刺春分，令人懈惰。夏刺秋分，令人心中
欲无言，惕惕如人将捕之。夏刺冬分，令人少气，时欲怒。秋刺春分，令人惕然，欲有所为
，起而忘之。秋刺夏分，令人益嗜卧，且善梦。秋刺冬分，令人洒洒时寒。冬刺春分，令人
卧不能眠。冬刺夏分，令人气上，发为诸痹。冬刺秋分，令人善渴。
黄帝问曰∶愿闻禁数？岐伯曰∶脏有要害，不可不察。肝生于左，肺藏于右，心部于表
，肾治于里，脾谓之使，胃为之市。鬲肓之上，中有父母，七节之旁，中有小心，谓肾神
，从之有福，逆之有咎。
刺中心，一日死，其动为噫；刺中肝，五日死，其动为语（一作欠）；刺中肾，六日死，
其动为嚏（一作三日）；刺中肺，三日死，其动为咳；刺中脾，十日死，其动为吞；刺中胆，
一日半死，其动为呕。刺足跗上中大脉，血出不止，死；刺面中溜脉，不幸为盲；刺头
中脑户，入脑立死；刺
舌下中脉太过，血出不止为喑；刺足下布络中脉，血不出为肿；刺 中大脉，令人仆脱色
；刺气街中脉，血不出，为肿鼠仆；刺脊间中髓为伛；刺乳上中乳房，为肿根蚀，刺缺盆中
内陷气泄，令人喘咳逆；刺手鱼腹内陷，为肿。
刺阴股中大脉，血出不止，死；刺客主人内陷中脉，为内漏耳聋；刺膝膑出液为跛；刺
臂太阴脉，出血多，立死；刺足少阴脉，重虚出血，为舌难以言；刺膺中陷中肺，为喘逆仰
息。刺肘中内陷气归之，为不屈伸；刺阴股下三寸内陷，令人遗溺；刺腋下胁间内陷，令
人咳；刺少腹中膀胱溺出，令人少腹满；刺 肠内陷，为肿；刺眶上陷骨中脉，为漏为盲；
刺关节中液出，不得屈伸。
无刺大醉，令人气乱；一作脉乱。无刺大怒，令人气逆；无刺大劳人；无刺新饱人；无
刺大饥人；无刺大渴人；无刺大惊人；新内无刺，已刺勿内；已醉勿刺，已刺勿醉；新怒勿
刺，已刺勿怒；新劳勿刺，已刺勿劳；已饱勿刺，已刺勿饱；已饥勿刺，已刺勿饥；已渴勿
刺，已刺勿渴；乘车来者，卧而休之，如食顷乃刺之；出行来者，坐而休之，如行十里乃刺
之；大惊大恐，必定其气乃刺之。
五夺不可泻
岐伯曰∶形容已脱，是一夺也。大脱血之后，是二夺也。大汗之后，是三夺也。大泄
之后，是四夺也。新产大血之后，是五夺也，此皆不可泻。
四季不可刺
岐伯曰∶正月、二月、三月，人气在左，无刺左足之阳。四月、五月、六月，人气在右
，无刺右足之阳。七月、八月、九月，人气在右，无刺右足之阴。十月、十一月、十二月，
人气在左，无刺左足之阴。
死期不可刺
岐伯曰∶病先发于心，心痛，一日而之肺，咳；三日而之肝，胁支痛；五日而之脾，闭
塞不通，身痛体重，三日不已，死。冬夜半，夏日中。
病先发于肺，喘咳；三日而之肝，胁支满痛；一日而之脾，身重体痛；五日而之胃，胀
，十日不已，死。冬日入，夏日出。
病先发于肝，头痛目眩，胁支满；三日而之脾，体重身痛；五日而之胃，胀；三日而之
肾，腰脊少腹痛，胫酸，三日不已，死。冬日入，夏早食。
病先发于脾，身痛体重；一日而之胃，胀；二日而之肾，少腹腰脊痛，胫酸；三日而
之膀胱，背KT 筋痛，小便闭，十日不已，死。冬人定，夏晏食。
病先发于肾，少腹腰脊痛， 酸；三日而之膀胱，背KT 筋痛，小便闭；三日而上之
心，心胀；三日而之小肠，两胁支痛，三日不已，死。冬大晨，夏晏晡。
病先发于胃，胀满；五日而之肾，少腹腰脊痛， 酸；三日而之膀胱，背KT 筋痛
，小便闭；五日而之脾，身体重，六日不已，死。冬夜半，夏日晡。
病先发于膀胱，小便闭；五日而之肾，少腹胀，腰脊痛， 酸；一日而之小肠，腹
胀；一日而之脾，身体重，二日不已，死。冬鸡鸣，夏下晡。
诸病以次相传，如是者，皆有死期，不可刺也，间有一脏及二、三脏者，乃可刺也。
黄帝问道：诊察疾病的关键要点是什么？岐伯回答说：正月、二月，天气开始生发，地气开始萌动，人体正气汇聚于肝；三月、四月，天气正当旺盛，地气稳定发散，人体正气汇聚于脾；五月、六月，天气盛大，地气高升，人体正气汇聚于头部；七月、八月，阴气开始肃杀，人体正气汇聚于肺；九月、十月，阴气开始结冰，地气开始闭藏，人体正气汇聚于心；十一月、十二月，冰层复厚，地气完全闭合，人体正气汇聚于肾。所以春季针刺应选取散俞穴及分理之间，见血即止。病情重的，通过传气来治疗；病情轻的，等待经气循环一周即可。夏季针刺应选取络俞穴，见血即止。使邪气尽出，经络闭合，疼痛之病必然消退。秋季针刺皮肤，顺着纹理进行，上下部位采用同样的方法，神气变化（指得气或病邪退去）即止。冬季针刺俞窍于分理之间，病情重的直下进针，病情轻的分散进针。
春、夏、秋、冬四季，各有其适宜的针刺法则，要顺应正气所在的部位。如果在春季误刺夏季对应的部位，会让人食欲不振，气短。如果在春季误刺秋季对应的部位，让人时常惊恐，并且哭泣。如果在春季误刺冬季对应的部位，让人腹胀，病不痊愈，并且想多说话。在夏季误刺春季对应的部位，让人懈怠懒惰。在夏季误刺秋季对应的部位，让人心中想沉默不语，恐惧得像有人要抓捕他一样。在夏季误刺冬季对应的部位，让人气短，时常想要发怒。在秋季误刺春季对应的部位，让人惊惕不安，想做些什么，起身却又忘记。在秋季误刺夏季对应的部位，让人更加嗜睡，并且容易做梦。在秋季误刺冬季对应的部位，让人时时感到寒冷战栗。在冬季误刺春季对应的部位，让人卧床不能入睡。在冬季误刺夏季对应的部位，让人气机上逆，引发各种痹证。在冬季误刺秋季对应的部位，让人容易口渴。
黄帝问道：希望听听针刺的禁忌有哪些？岐伯说：五脏有要害之处，不可不仔细考察。肝气生于左侧，肺气藏于右侧，心气布散于体表，肾气治理于体内，脾被称为传送之官，胃被称为市场（容纳水谷）。膈肓之上，中有父母（指心肺），第七节脊椎旁，中有小心（指命门或心包络），这称为肾神，顺从它就有福，违背它就有灾祸。
针刺中心脏，一天后死亡，其表现为嗳气；刺中肝脏，五天后死亡，其表现为言语错乱（一说为呵欠）；刺中肾脏，六天后死亡，其表现为打喷嚏（一说为三日后）；刺中肺脏，三天后死亡，其表现为咳嗽；刺中脾脏，十天后死亡，其表现为吞咽动作；刺中胆腑，一天半后死亡，其表现为呕吐。刺足背上的大脉，出血不止，会导致死亡；刺面部溜脉，不幸会导致失明；刺头部脑户穴，针入脑部立即死亡；刺舌下脉太过，出血不止会导致失音；刺足底分布的络脉中的血管，血不出会导致肿胀；刺腘窝中的大脉，让人跌倒面色苍白；刺气街中的脉，血不出，会导致腹股沟部肿胀如鼠仆状；刺脊柱间伤及脊髓，导致驼背；刺乳房上部伤及乳房，导致根部溃烂腐蚀；刺缺盆穴过深导致气泄，让人气喘咳嗽气逆；刺手鱼际部位过深，导致肿胀。
刺大腿内侧的大脉，出血不止，会导致死亡；刺足少阳胆经的承泣穴（注：原文“刺客主人”通常指头维或类似穴位，此处依文意译为特定穴位名，实际古文中“客主人”即上关穴）过深伤及脉络，导致内部漏脓耳聋；刺膝盖髌骨处流出津液，导致跛行；刺手太阴肺经的脉，出血过多，立即死亡；刺足少阴肾经的脉，虚上加虚且出血，导致舌头僵硬难以说话；刺胸膺部过深伤及肺，导致气喘逆仰呼吸。刺肘关节内陷处伤及气机，导致手臂不能屈伸；刺大腿内侧下方三寸处过深，导致遗尿；刺腋下胁间过深，导致咳嗽；刺小腹伤及膀胱，尿液流出，导致小腹胀满；刺大肠过深，导致肿胀；刺眼眶上陷骨中的脉，导致瘘管或失明；刺关节中津液流出，导致关节不能屈伸。
不要在大醉时针刺，这会使人气机紊乱（一说脉乱）；不要在大怒时针刺，这会使人气机逆乱；不要在大疲劳的人身上针刺；不要在刚吃饱的人身上针刺；不要在极度饥饿的人身上针刺；不要在极度口渴的人身上针刺；不要在受到大惊吓的人身上针刺；刚行房事后不要针刺，已针刺后不要行房事；已经醉酒不要针刺，已针刺后不要饮酒；刚刚发怒不要针刺，已针刺后不要发怒；刚刚劳累不要针刺，已针刺后不要劳累；已经吃饱不要针刺，已针刺后不要吃饱；已经饥饿不要针刺，已针刺后不要饥饿；乘车来就诊的人，让他躺下休息，大约一顿饭的时间后再针刺；步行来就诊的人，让他坐下休息，大约行走十里路的路程所需时间后再针刺；对于受大惊大恐的人，必须使其气机安定后再针刺。
五种严重虚损的情况不可用泻法。岐伯说：形体消瘦脱失，这是一夺。大量失血之后，这是二夺。大汗之后，这是三夺。剧烈腹泻之后，这是四夺。新产妇产后大量出血之后，这是五夺，这些情况都不可用泻法。
四季不宜针刺的部位。岐伯说：正月、二月、三月，人气在左侧，不要针刺左足的阳经。四月、五月、六月，人气在右侧，不要针刺右足的阳经。七月、八月、九月，人气在右侧，不要针刺右足的阴经。十月、十一月、十二月，人气在左侧，不要针刺左足的阴经。
死期临近的病不可针刺。岐伯说：疾病先发于心，出现心痛，一天后传至肺，出现咳嗽；三天后传至肝，胁肋支撑胀痛；五天后传至脾，闭塞不通，身体疼痛沉重，如果三天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的半夜，夏天的中午。
疾病先发于肺，出现气喘咳嗽；三天后传至肝，胁肋支撑胀满疼痛；一天后传至脾，身体沉重疼痛；五天后传至胃，腹胀，如果十天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的日落时分，夏天的日出时分。
疾病先发于肝，出现头痛目眩，胁肋支撑胀满；三天后传至脾，身体沉重疼痛；五天后传至胃，腹胀；三天后传至肾，腰脊和小腹痛，小腿酸软，如果三天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的日落时分，夏天的早饭时候。
疾病先发于脾，身体疼痛沉重；一天后传至胃，腹胀；两天后传至肾，小腹和腰脊痛，小腿酸软；三天后传至膀胱，背部筋脉疼痛，小便闭塞，如果十天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的黄昏时分，夏天的晚食时候。
疾病先发于肾，小腹和腰脊痛，小腿酸软；三天后传至膀胱，背部筋脉疼痛，小便闭塞；三天后向上传至心，心胀；三天后传至小肠，两胁肋支撑疼痛，如果三天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的清晨，夏天的傍晚。
疾病先发于胃，腹胀满；五天后传至肾，小腹和腰脊痛，小腿酸软；三天后传至膀胱，背部筋脉疼痛，小便闭塞；五天后传至脾，身体沉重，如果六天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的半夜，夏天的傍晚。
疾病先发于膀胱，小便闭塞；五天后传至肾，小腹胀，腰脊痛，小腿酸软；一天后传至小肠，腹胀；一天后传至脾，身体沉重，如果二天后病仍不愈，就会死亡。死于冬天的鸡鸣时分，夏天的下午时分。
Huangdi asked: "What are the key points of diagnosis?" Qibo replied: "In the first and second months, the Qi of Heaven begins to generate, and the Qi of Earth begins to sprout; the Qi of Humanity is in the Liver. In the third and fourth months, the Qi of Heaven is fully vigorous, and the Qi of Earth stabilizes and disperses; the Qi of Humanity is in the Spleen. In the fifth and sixth months, the Qi of Heaven is abundant, and the Qi of Earth rises high; the Qi of Humanity is in the Head. In the seventh and eighth months, Yin Qi begins to wither (kill); the Qi of Humanity is in the Lungs. In the ninth and tenth months, Yin Qi begins to freeze, and the Qi of Earth begins to close; the Qi of Humanity is in the Heart. In the eleventh and twelfth months, ice returns, and the Qi of Earth combines/closes completely; the Qi of Humanity is in the Kidneys. Therefore, in Spring, needle the San Shu acupoints (Scattered Shu points) and the interstices (fascial planes), stopping when blood appears. For severe cases, transmit the Qi; for mild cases, wait for one cycle of the meridians. In Summer, needle the Luo Shu acupoints (Luo-Shu points), stopping when blood appears. Exhaust the pathogenic Qi and close the loop; painful diseases will surely subside. In Autumn, needle the skin, following the grain/texture, applying the same method above and below, stopping when the Shen (Spirit/Qi) changes. In Winter, needle the Shu apertures within the interstices; for severe cases, insert straight down; for mild cases, disperse the insertion."
"Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter each have their specific needling methods, which should follow the location of the Qi. If one needles the Summer region in Spring, it causes loss of appetite and shortness of Qi. If one needles the Autumn region in Spring, it causes frequent fright and crying. If one needles the Winter region in Spring, it causes abdominal distension, the disease does not heal, and there is a desire to speak excessively. If one needles the Spring region in Summer, it causes lassitude and lethargy. If one needles the Autumn region in Summer, it causes a desire for silence in the heart, feeling fearful as if someone were about to capture them. If one needles the Winter region in Summer, it causes shortness of Qi and frequent anger. If one needles the Spring region in Autumn, it causes sudden fright, a desire to do something, but forgetting upon standing up. If one needles the Summer region in Autumn, it increases the desire to sleep and leads to vivid dreams. If one needles the Winter region in Autumn, it causes shivering and chills. If one needles the Spring region in Winter, it causes insomnia. If one needles the Summer region in Winter, it causes Qi to rise upward, leading to various Bi syndromes (painful obstruction). If one needles the Autumn region in Winter, it causes excessive thirst."
Huangdi asked: "I wish to hear about the number of contraindications." Qibo said: "The Zang organs have vital areas that must be carefully examined. The Liver's Qi arises on the left, the Lungs' Qi stores on the right, the Heart's Qi distributes on the exterior, the Kidneys' Qi governs the interior, the Spleen is called the Envoy, and the Stomach is called the Market. Above the diaphragm and huang (membrane), there are the Parents (Heart and Lung). Beside the seventh vertebral segment, there is the 'Small Heart' (Mingmen or Pericardium), which is referred to as the Shen of the Kidney. Following this brings fortune; opposing it brings disaster."
"If the Heart is pierced, death occurs in one day, with the manifestation being belching (Yi). If the Liver is pierced, death occurs in five days, with the manifestation being speech disorders (or yawning). If the Kidneys are pierced, death occurs in six days, with the manifestation being sneezing (or three days). If the Lungs are pierced, death occurs in three days, with the manifestation being coughing. If the Spleen is pierced, death occurs in ten days, with the manifestation being swallowing movements. If the Gallbladder is pierced, death occurs in one and a half days, with the manifestation being vomiting. Piercing the large vessel on the dorsum of the foot, with unceasing bleeding, leads to death. Piercing the flowing vessels in the face, unfortunately, causes blindness. Piercing the Naohu acupoint (Brain Door) in the head, entering the brain, leads to immediate death. Piercing the vessels under the tongue too deeply, with unceasing bleeding, causes aphonia. Piercing the distributed collateral vessels under the feet, without blood coming out, causes swelling. Piercing the large vessel in the popliteal fossa causes the person to collapse and lose color. Piercing the vessel in the Qie Street (inguinal region), without blood coming out, causes swelling in the groin resembling a crouching rat. Piercing the space between the vertebrae and damaging the spinal marrow causes kyphosis (hunchback). Piercing the upper breast area and damaging the mammary gland causes root erosion and abscess. Piercing the Quepen acupoint (Collarbone Depression) too deeply, causing Qi leakage, leads to wheezing, coughing, and rebellious Qi. Piercing the inner part of the Yuji acupoint (Fish Border) too deeply causes swelling."
"Piercing the large vessel in the medial thigh, with unceasing bleeding, leads to death. Piercing the Keren Zhu (Guest Master/Shangguan) acupoint too deeply and damaging the vessel causes internal leakage and deafness. Releasing fluid from the patella causes limping. Needling the Taiyin vessel of the arm with excessive bleeding leads to immediate death. Needling the Shaoyin vessel of the foot, adding deficiency to deficiency with bleeding, causes a stiff tongue and difficulty speaking. Piercing the Yingzhong (Chest) area too deeply and damaging the Lung causes wheezing, rebellion, and仰息 (breathing with the head thrown back). Piercing the Zhongzhou (Elbow Center) area too deeply, trapping the Qi, causes inability to flex and extend. Piercing three cun below the medial thigh too deeply causes enuresis. Piercing the axillary and hypochondriac regions too deeply causes coughing. Piercing the lower abdomen and damaging the Bladder, causing urine to leak, leads to lower abdominal fullness. Piercing the intestines too deeply causes swelling. Piercing the vessel in the supraorbital depression causes fistula or blindness. Releasing fluid from the joints causes inability to flex and extend."
"Do not needle when greatly intoxicated, as this causes Qi chaos (or Pulse chaos). Do not needle when greatly angry, as this causes Qi rebellion. Do not needle greatly fatigued persons. Do not needle persons who have just eaten heavily. Do not needle persons who are greatly hungry. Do not needle persons who are greatly thirsty. Do not needle persons who have been greatly startled. After sexual intercourse, do not needle; after needling, do not have intercourse. After intoxication, do not needle; after needling, do not drink alcohol. After anger, do not needle; after needling, do not become angry. After fatigue, do not needle; after needling, do not exert oneself. After eating, do not needle; after needling, do not eat heavily. After hunger, do not needle; after needling, do not remain hungry. After drinking. After thirst, do not needle; after needling, do not remain thirsty. Those who arrived by cart should lie down and rest for the time it takes to eat one meal before needling. Those who arrived by walking should sit down and rest for the time it takes to walk ten li before needling. For those greatly startled or terrified, ensure their Qi is stabilized before needling."
"The Five Deprivations Must Not Be Purged. Qibo said: 'Emaciation and depletion of form is the First Deprivation. Massive hemorrhage is the Second Deprivation. Profuse sweating is the Third Deprivation. Severe diarrhea is the Fourth Deprivation. Postpartum massive hemorrhage is the Fifth Deprivation. All these must not be purged.'"
"The Four Seasons Have Contraindicated Areas. Qibo said: 'In the first, second, and third months, the Qi of Humanity is on the left; do not needle the Yang meridians of the left foot. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth months, the Qi of Humanity is on the right; do not needle the Yang meridians of the right foot. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth months, the Qi of Humanity is on the right; do not needle the Yin meridians of the right foot. In the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months, the Qi of Humanity is on the left; do not needle the Yin meridians of the left foot.'"
"Dying Periods Are Contraindicated for Needling. Qibo said: 'If a disease originates in the Heart, causing chest pain, it transmits to the Lungs in one day, causing coughing; to the Liver in three days, causing hypochondriac distension and pain; to the Spleen in five days, causing blockage, body pain, and heaviness. If it persists for three days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at midnight in winter and noon in summer.
If a disease originates in the Lungs, causing wheezing and coughing, it transmits to the Liver in three days, causing hypochondriac distension and pain; to the Spleen in one day, causing body heaviness and pain; to the Stomach in five days, causing distension. If it persists for ten days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at sunset in winter and sunrise in summer.
If a disease originates in the Liver, causing headache and dizziness, and hypochondriac distension, it transmits to the Spleen in three days, causing body heaviness and pain; to the Stomach in five days, causing distension; to the Kidneys in three days, causing lumbar, spinal, and lower abdominal pain, and calf soreness. If it persists for three days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at sunset in winter and breakfast time in summer.
If a disease originates in the Spleen, causing body pain and heaviness, it transmits to the Stomach in one day, causing distension; to the Kidneys in two days, causing lower abdominal, lumbar, and spinal pain, and calf soreness; to the Bladder in three days, causing back muscle pain and urinary retention. If it persists for ten days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at dusk in winter and dinner time in summer.
If a disease originates in the Kidneys, causing lower abdominal, lumbar, and spinal pain, and calf soreness, it transmits to the Bladder in three days, causing back muscle pain and urinary retention; to the Heart in three days, causing cardiac distension; to the Small Intestine in three days, causing bilateral hypochondriac pain. If it persists for three days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at early dawn in winter and dusk in summer.
If a disease originates in the Stomach, causing distension and fullness, it transmits to the Kidneys in five days, causing lower abdominal, lumbar, and spinal pain, and calf soreness; to the Bladder in three days, causing back muscle pain and urinary retention; to the Spleen in five days, causing body heaviness. If it persists for six days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at midnight in winter and dusk in summer.
If a disease originates in the Bladder, causing urinary retention, it transmits to the Kidneys in five days, causing lower abdominal distension, lumbar and spinal pain, and calf soreness; to the Small Intestine in one day, causing abdominal distension; to the Spleen in one day, causing body heaviness. If it persists for two days beyond this, death ensues. Death occurs at cockcrow in winter and afternoon in summer.
When diseases transmit sequentially in this manner, there is always a fixed time of death, and needling is contraindicated. Only if the pathology involves one Zang organ, or two or three Zang organs without complete transmission, is needling permissible.'"