夫欲理病，先察其源，候其病机。五脏未虚，六腑未竭，血脉未乱，精神未散，服药必
活。若病已成，可得半愈。病势已过，命将难全。
夫诊候之法，常以平旦，阴气未动，阳气未散，饮食未进，经脉未盛，络脉调均，气血
未乱，精取其脉，知其逆顺，非其时不用也。深察三部九候而明告之，古之善为医者，上医
医国，中医医人，下医医病。又曰上医听声，中医察色，下医诊脉。又曰上医医未病之病，
中医医欲病之病，下医医已病之病。若不加心用意，于事混淆，即病者难以救矣。
何谓三部？寸关尺也。上部为天，肺也；中部为人，脾也；下部为地，肾也。何谓九候？
部各有三，合为九候。上部天，两额动脉，主头角之气也；上部地，两颊动脉，主口齿之气
也；上部人，耳前动脉，主耳目之气也。中部天，手太阴，肺之气也；中部地，手阳明，胸
中之气也；中部人，手少阴，心之气也。下部天，足厥阴，肝之气也；下部地，足少阴，肾
之气也；下部人，足太阴，脾之气也。合为九候。
夫形盛脉细，少气不足以息者死；形瘦脉大，胸中多气者死；形气相得者生；三五不调
者病；三部九候皆相失者死。愚医不通三部九候，及四时之经，或用汤药倒错，针灸失度，
顺方治病，更增他疾，遂致灭亡。哀哉蒸民，枉死者半，可谓世无良医。为其解释经说，地
水火风，和合成人。凡人火气不调，举身蒸热；风气不调，全身强直，诸毛孔闭塞；水气不
调，身体浮肿，气满喘粗；土气不调，四肢不举，言无音声。火去则身冷，风止则气绝，水
竭则无血，土散则身裂，然愚医不思脉道，反治其病，使脏中五行共相克切，如火炽燃，重
加其油，不可不慎。凡四气合德，四神安和，一气不调，百一病生。四神动作，四百四病同
时俱发。又云∶一百一病，不治自愈；一百一病，须治而愈；一百一病，难治难愈；一百一
病，真死不治。
张仲景曰∶欲疗诸病，当先以汤荡涤五脏六腑，开通诸脉，治道阴阳，破散邪气，润泽
枯朽，悦人皮肤，益人气血。水能净万物，故用汤也。若四肢病久，风冷发动，次当用散。
散能逐邪，风气湿痹，表里移走，居无常处者，散当平之。次当用丸，丸药者，能逐风冷，
破积聚，消诸坚癖，进饮食，调和荣卫，能参合而行之者，可谓上工，故曰医者意也。又曰∶
不须汗而强汗之者，出其津液，枯竭而死。须汗而不与汗之者，使诸毛孔闭塞，令人闷绝而
死。又不须下而强下之者，令人开肠，洞泄不禁而死；须下而不与下之者，使人心内懊 ，
胀满烦乱，浮肿而死。又不须灸而强与灸者，令人火邪入腹，干错五脏，重加其烦而死。
灸而不与灸之者，令人冷结重凝，久而弥固，气上冲心，无地消散，病笃而死。
黄帝问曰∶淫邪泮衍奈何？岐伯对曰∶正邪从外袭内，而未有定舍，及淫于脏，不得定
处，与荣卫俱行，而与魂魄飞扬，使人卧不得安而喜梦也。凡气淫于腑，则有余于外，不足
于内；气淫于脏，则有余于内，不足于外。问曰∶有余、不足有形乎？对曰∶阴盛则梦涉大
水而恐惧，阳盛则梦蹈大火而燔灼，阴阳俱盛则梦相杀毁伤；上盛则梦飞扬，下盛则梦堕坠；
甚饱则梦与（巢源云∶梦行）甚饥则梦取（巢源云∶梦卧）；肝气盛则梦怒，肺气盛
则梦恐惧、哭泣，心气盛则梦喜笑及恐畏，脾气盛则梦歌乐、体重、手足不举，肾气盛则梦
腰脊两解而不属。凡此十二盛者，至而泻之立已。厥气客于心，则梦见丘山烟火；客于肺，
则梦飞扬，见金铁之器奇物；客于肝，则梦见山林树木；客于脾，则梦见丘陵大泽，坏屋风
雨；客于肾，则梦见临渊，没居水中；客于膀胱，则梦见游行；客于胃，则梦见饮食；客于
大肠，则梦见田野；客于小肠，则梦见聚邑、街衢；客于胆，则梦见斗讼、自刳；客于阴器，
则梦交接斗内；客于项，则梦见斩首；客于胯，则梦见行走而不能前进，及池渠阱 中居；
客于股，则梦见礼节拜跪；客于胞 ，则梦见溲溺便利。凡此十五不足者，至而补之立已。
善诊候者，亦可深思此意，乃尽善尽美矣。
《史记》曰∶病有六不治∶骄恣不论于理，一不治也；轻身重财，二不治也；衣食不能
适，三不治也；阴阳并脏气不定，四不治也；形羸不能服药，五不治也；信巫不信医，六不
治也。生候尚存，形色未改，病未入腠理，针药及时，能将节调理，委以良医，病无不愈。
想要治疗疾病，必须先考察其病因，诊察其病机。如果五脏尚未虚损，六腑尚未衰竭，血脉尚未紊乱，精神尚未耗散，此时服药必定能治愈。如果疾病已经形成，只能获得一半的疗效。如果病势已经过去（正气大伤），生命将难以保全。
诊察脉候的方法，通常在清晨进行，此时阴气未动，阳气未散，饮食未进，经脉之气未盛，络脉调和均匀，气血未乱，选取脉象以判断其逆顺，如果不是适宜的时间就不进行诊察。深入诊察“三部九候”并明确告知患者，古代善于行医的医生，上等的医生治理国家（调摄身心与环境），中等的医生治疗人的疾病，下等的医生仅治疗具体的病症。又说：上等的医生通过听声音诊断，中等的医生通过观察面色诊断，下等的医生通过切脉诊断。又说：上等的医生治疗尚未发生的疾病，中等的医生治疗即将发生的疾病，下等的医生治疗已经发生的疾病。如果不专心用意，导致事务混淆，那么病人就难以救治了。
什么叫“三部”？就是寸、关、尺三部。上部对应天，主肺；中部对应人，主脾；下部对应地，主肾。什么叫“九候”？每部各有三个候位，合起来称为九候。上部天，指两额头的动脉，主头角之气；上部地，指两颊的动脉，主口齿之气；上部人，指耳前的动脉，主耳目之气。中部天，指手太阴肺经，主肺之气；中部地，指手阳明大肠经，主胸中之气；中部人，指手少阴心经，主心之气。下部天，指足厥阴肝经，主肝之气；下部地，指足少阴肾经，主肾之气；下部人，指足太阴脾经，主脾之气。合起来为九候。
如果形体壮盛但脉象细弱，气息短少不足以呼吸的，是死证；形体消瘦但脉象洪大，胸中气多胀满的，是死证；形与气相协调的，可生；脉象三五不调乱的，有病；如果三部九候的脉象都相互失守失调的，是死证。愚笨的医生不通晓三部九候及四时经脉规律，或者用药汤剂错误，针灸失去法度，顺着错误的方子治病，反而增加其他疾病，导致死亡。可悲啊百姓，枉死者占了一半，可以说是世上没有良医。为此解释经说：地、水、火、风四种元素和合构成人体。如果人体火气不调，全身蒸热；风气不调，全身强直，所有毛孔闭塞；水气不调，身体浮肿，气满喘粗；土气不调，四肢不能举动，说话没有声音。火去则身体冰冷，风止则气绝，水竭则无血，土散则身体开裂。然而愚笨的医生不思考脉道原理，反而直接治疗病症，使脏腑中的五行相互克伐，就像火炽燃烧，再加油进去，不可不谨慎。凡是四气和谐，四神安和，只要一气不调，就会生出百一病。四神动作异常，四百四病同时发作。又说：一百一病，不治也能自愈；一百一病，需要治疗才能痊愈；一百一病，难治且难愈；一百一病，真正死亡无法治疗。
张仲景说：想要治疗各种疾病，应当先用汤药荡涤五脏六腑，开通诸脉，调理阴阳，破散邪气，润泽枯朽，愉悦皮肤，补益人气血。水能洗净万物，所以用汤药。如果四肢患病日久，风冷发动，其次应当使用散剂。散剂能驱逐邪气，对于风气湿痹，表里游走不定，居处无常处的病症，散剂可以平复它。其次应当使用丸药，丸药能驱逐风冷，破除积聚，消除各种坚癖，增进饮食，调和营卫。能够综合运用的，可称为上工，所以说医者要有意会。又说：不需要发汗而强行发汗的，会导致津液枯竭而死。需要发汗而不给发汗的，会使毛孔闭塞，令人闷绝而死。又不需要攻下而强行攻下的，会导致肠道大开，洞泄不禁而死；需要攻下而不给攻下的，会使人心内懊恼，胀满烦乱，浮肿而死。又不需要艾灸而强行艾灸的，会导致火邪入腹，干扰五脏，加重烦躁而死。需要艾灸而不给艾灸的，会导致冷结凝滞，久而更坚固，气上冲心，无处消散，病重而死。
黄帝问道：淫邪泛滥是怎么回事？岐伯回答说：正邪从外部侵入体内，还没有固定的居所，等到淫邪进入脏腑，没有固定位置，与营卫一起运行，并与魂魄飞扬，使人睡眠不安且喜欢做梦。凡是气淫于腑，则外部有余，内部不足；气淫于脏，则内部有余，外部不足。问道：有余和不足有具体的表现吗？回答说：阴盛则梦见渡大水而恐惧，阳盛则梦见踩在大火上而被烧灼，阴阳俱盛则梦见互相杀戮毁伤；上部盛则梦见飞翔，下部盛则梦见坠落；吃得很饱则梦见行走（巢元方注：梦行），很饿则梦见索取（巢元方注：梦卧）；肝气盛则梦见愤怒，肺气盛则梦见恐惧、哭泣，心气盛则梦见喜笑及畏恐，脾气盛则梦见歌乐、身体沉重、手足不能举起，肾气盛则梦见腰脊分离而不相连。凡这十二种盛证，到来时用泻法立即痊愈。厥气客于心，则梦见丘山烟火；客于肺，则梦见飞翔，见到金铁器具奇异之物；客于肝，则梦见山林树木；客于脾，则梦见丘陵大泽，坏屋风雨；客于肾，则梦见临深渊，淹没在水中；客于膀胱，则梦见游行；客于胃，则梦见饮食；客于大肠，则梦见田野；客于小肠，则梦见聚集的城邑、街道；客于胆，则梦见争斗诉讼、自残；客于阴器，则梦见性交斗殴；客于项部，则梦见斩首；客于胯部，则梦见行走而不能前进，以及居住在池渠陷阱中；客于大腿，则梦见礼节拜跪；客于胞宫，则梦见小便便利。凡这十五种不足证，到来时用补法立即痊愈。
善于诊察的人，也可以深思这些含义，那就尽善尽美了。
《史记》说：疾病有六种情况不治疗：骄傲放纵不讲道理，一种是不治；轻视身体看重钱财，二种是不治；衣食不能适应调节，三种是不治；阴阳错乱脏气不稳定，四种是不治；形体羸弱不能服药，五种是不治；相信巫术不相信医生，六种是不治。如果生机尚存，形色未改，病未进入腠理，针药及时，能够节制调理，委托给良医，病没有不痊愈的。
To treat diseases, one must first investigate their origin and observe the pathogenesis. If the Five Zang organs are not yet deficient, the Six Fu organs are not yet exhausted, the blood vessels are not yet chaotic, and the spirit is not yet scattered, taking medicine will surely lead to recovery. If the disease has already formed, half recovery may be achieved. If the pathological momentum has passed and life is in danger, it will be difficult to preserve.
The method of pulse diagnosis should usually be performed at dawn, when Yin Qi has not yet moved, Yang Qi has not yet dispersed, food and drink have not been taken, the meridians are not yet full, the collaterals are harmonious and balanced, and the Qi and Blood are not yet chaotic. By selecting the pulse, one can know its reversal or smoothness; if it is not the appropriate time, diagnosis should not be conducted. Deeply observing the Three Regions and Nine Probes (Sanbu Jiuhou) and explaining them clearly: ancient skilled physicians were categorized as follows: the superior physician treats the state (harmonizing body and environment), the intermediate physician treats the person, and the inferior physician treats the disease. It is also said: the superior physician diagnoses by listening to sounds, the intermediate physician by observing complexion, and the inferior physician by palpating the pulse. Furthermore: the superior physician treats diseases before they occur, the intermediate physician treats diseases about to occur, and the inferior physician treats diseases that have already occurred. If one does not apply heart and intent, leading to confusion in matters, the patient will be difficult to save.
What are the Three Regions? They are Cun, Guan, and Chi. The upper region corresponds to Heaven and governs the Lung; the middle region corresponds to Humanity and governs the Spleen; the lower region corresponds to Earth and governs the Kidney. What are the Nine Probes? Each region has three probes, totaling nine. The upper region's Heaven probe refers to the arteries on both temples, governing Qi of the head corners; the upper region's Earth probe refers to the arteries on both cheeks, governing Qi of the mouth and teeth; the upper region's Human probe refers to the artery in front of the ear, governing Qi of the ears and eyes. The middle region's Heaven probe is the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, governing Lung Qi; the middle region's Earth probe is the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, governing Chest Qi; the middle region's Human probe is the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, governing Heart Qi. The lower region's Heaven probe is the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, governing Liver Qi; the lower region's Earth probe is the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, governing Kidney Qi; the lower region's Human probe is the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, governing Spleen Qi. Together, these form the Nine Probes.
If the physique is robust but the pulse is thin, with shortness of breath insufficient for respiration, this is a death sign. If the physique is emaciated but the pulse is large, with excessive Qi in the chest, this is a death sign. If the physique and Qi are in harmony, there is life. If the pulse is irregular and disordered, there is disease. If all Nine Probes are discordant, this is a death sign. Ignorant physicians who do not understand the Three Regions and Nine Probes nor the meridians of the four seasons, may use decoctions incorrectly or acupuncture improperly. Following wrong prescriptions to treat disease only adds other ailments, leading to demise. Alas, among the people, half die unjustly; one might say there are no good physicians in the world. Regarding the explanation of classics: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind combine to form humans. If Fire Qi is imbalanced, the whole body feels steaming hot; if Wind Qi is imbalanced, the whole body becomes stiff and rigid, with all pores closed; if Water Qi is imbalanced, the body swells, with fullness and coarse breathing; if Earth Qi is imbalanced, the limbs cannot move, and speech lacks voice. If Fire departs, the body becomes cold; if Wind stops, Qi ceases; if Water dries up, there is no blood; if Earth scatters, the body cracks. However, ignorant physicians do not contemplate the principles of pulse diagnosis but instead treat symptoms directly, causing the Five Elements within the Zang organs to mutually overcome each other, like a blazing fire with added oil. One must be extremely cautious. When the Four Qi are virtuous and the Four Spirits are harmonious, if even one Qi is imbalanced, hundreds of illnesses arise. If the Four Spirits act abnormally, 404 illnesses may erupt simultaneously. It is also said: 101 illnesses may heal spontaneously without treatment; 101 illnesses require treatment to heal; 101 illnesses are difficult to treat and hard to cure; 101 illnesses represent true death and cannot be treated.
Zhang Zhongjing said: To treat various diseases, one should first use decoctions to cleanse the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, open the meridians, regulate Yin and Yang, break up evil Qi, moisten dryness, soothe the skin, and benefit Qi and Blood. Water can purify all things, hence decoctions are used. If limb diseases persist for a long time and wind-cold activates, powders (San) should be used next. Powders can expel evil Qi; for wind-damp bi syndrome where pathogens move between interior and exterior without fixed location, powders can pacify them. Pills (Wan) should be used subsequently; pills can expel wind-cold, break accumulations, dissolve hardness, promote appetite, and harmonize Ying and Wei. Those who can integrate these methods are called Superior Experts, hence it is said "physicians rely on intention." It is also said: Forcing sweating when not needed depletes fluids and leads to death from exhaustion. Failing to induce sweating when needed causes pore closure, leading to death from suffocation. Forcing purgation when not needed causes intestinal opening and uncontrollable diarrhea, leading to death. Failing to purge when needed causes internal restlessness, distension, irritability, and edema, leading to death. Applying moxibustion when not needed allows fire evil to enter the abdomen, disturbing the Zang organs and worsening agitation, leading to death. Failing to apply moxibustion when needed causes cold stagnation to solidify over time, with Qi rushing to the heart and nowhere to dissipate, leading to death from severe illness.
The Yellow Emperor asked: How does excessive evil diffuse? Qibo replied: Correct evil invades from outside into the interior without a fixed residence. When it diffuses into the Zang organs, it has no fixed location, travels with Ying and Wei, and flies with the Hun and Po, causing restless sleep and frequent dreaming. When Qi diffuses into the Fu organs, there is excess externally and deficiency internally; when Qi diffuses into the Zang organs, there is excess internally and deficiency externally. Asked: Do excess and deficiency have visible forms? Replied: Yin excess dreams of crossing large waters with fear; Yang excess dreams of treading on great fires and burning; Yin and Yang both excess dream of killing and destroying each other; Upper excess dreams of flying; Lower excess dreams of falling. Being very full dreams of walking; being very hungry dreams of taking/receiving. Liver Qi excess dreams of anger; Lung Qi excess dreams of fear and crying; Heart Qi excess dreams of laughter and terror; Spleen Qi excess dreams of singing/music, heavy body, and inability to lift limbs; Kidney Qi excess dreams of waist and spine separating. These twelve Excess conditions, upon arrival, are treated with draining methods for immediate relief. If rebellious Qi lodges in the Heart, one dreams of hills and smoke/fire; in the Lung, dreams of flying and seeing metal/iron objects; in the Liver, dreams of forests and trees; in the Spleen, dreams of hills and marshes, broken houses, wind, and rain; in the Kidney, dreams of standing by abysses or being submerged in water; in the Bladder, dreams of wandering; in the Stomach, dreams of eating/drinking; in the Large Intestine, dreams of fields; in the Small Intestine, dreams of towns and streets; in the Gallbladder, dreams of fighting lawsuits or self-mutilation; in the genitalia, dreams of sexual intercourse or fighting; in the neck, dreams of beheading; in the hips, dreams of walking but unable to advance, or living in ditches/traps; in the thighs, dreams of bowing/kneeling in etiquette; in the Bao (uterus/bladder), dreams of urination/feces. These fifteen Deficiency conditions, upon arrival, are treated with tonifying methods for immediate relief.
Those skilled in diagnosis should deeply ponder these meanings to achieve perfection.
The Records of the Grand Historian states: There are six types of diseases that are untreatable: 1. Arrogance and irrationality; 2. Valuing wealth over health; 3. Inability to adapt diet and clothing; 4. Chaos of Yin/Yang and instability of Zang Qi; 5. Emaciation preventing medication intake; 6. Believing in witchcraft rather than medicine. If vital signs remain, appearance unchanged, disease has not entered the couli (skin and hair follicles), needle and drug treatments are timely, and the patient can regulate themselves and trust a good physician, the disease will surely heal.