帝曰∶刚柔二干，失守其位，使天运之气皆虚乎，与民为病，可得平乎？岐伯曰∶深乎
哉问
。明其奥旨，天地迭移，三年化疫，是谓根之可见，必有逃门。假令甲子，刚柔失守，刚未
正柔，孤而有亏，时序不令，即音律非从。如此三年，变大疫也，详其微甚，察其浅深，欲
至而可刺。刺之当先补肾俞，次三日可刺足太阴之所注，又有下位，已卯不至，而甲子孤立
者，次三年作土疠，其法补泻，一如甲子同法也。假令丙寅，刚柔失守，上刚干失守，下柔
不可独主之，中水运非太过，不可执法而定之，布天有余，而失守上正，天地不合，即律吕
音异。如此即天运失序，后三年变疫，详其微甚，差有大小徐至，即后三年，至甚即首三年
。当先补心俞，次五日可刺肾之所入。又有下位，地甲子辛已柔不附刚，亦名失守，即地运
皆虚，后三年变水疠，即刺法皆如此矣。其刺如毕，慎其大喜欲情于中，如不忌即其气复散
也。令静七日，心欲实，令少思。假令瘐辰刚柔失守，上位失守，下位无合，乙庚金运，故
非相招，布天未退。中运胜来，上下相错，谓之失守，姑洗林钟，商音不应也，如此即天运
化易，三年变大疫。详其天数，差有微甚，微即微三年至，甚即甚三年至。当先补肝俞，次
三日可刺肺之所行。刺毕，可静神七日，慎勿大怒，怒必真气却散之。又或在下地甲子，乙
未失守者，即乙柔干，即上庚独治之，亦名失守者。即天运孤主之，三年变疠，名曰金疠。
其至待时也，详其地数之差等，亦推其微甚，可知迟速尔。诸位乙庚失守，刺法同，肝欲平
，即勿怒。假令壬午刚柔失守，上壬未迁正，下丁独然，即虽阳年亏及不同，上下失守，相
招其有期，差之微甚，各有其数也，律吕二角，失而不和。同音有日，微甚如见，三年大疫
。当刺脾之俞，次三日可刺肝之所出也，刺毕静神七日，勿大醉歌乐，其气复散，又勿饱食
，勿食生物。欲令脾实，气无滞，饱无久坐，食无太酸，无食一切生物，宜甘宜淡。又或地
下甲子，丁酉失守其位，未得中司，即气不当位，下不与壬奉合者，亦名失守，非名合德。
故柔不附刚，即地运不合，三年变疠，其刺法如一木疫之法。假令戊申，刚柔失守，戊癸虽
火运阳年，不太过也。上失其刚柔，地独主其气不正，故有邪干，迭移其位，差有浅深，欲
至将合，音律先同。如此天运失时，三年之中，火疫至矣。当刺肺之俞，刺毕静神七日，勿
大悲伤也，悲伤即肺动而真气复散也。人欲实肺者，要在息气也。又或地下甲子癸亥失守者
，即柔失守位也，即上失其刚也，即亦名戊癸不相合德者也，即运与地虚，后三年变疠，却
名火
疠。是故立地五年以明失守，以穷法刺，于是疫之与疠，即是上下刚柔之名也，穷归一体也
。即刺疫法，只有五法，即总其诸位失守，故只归五行而统之也。
黄帝问道：天干中阳干与阴干失守其位，致使天运之气都虚弱吗？从而给百姓带来疾病，可以平复吗？岐伯回答说：问得深远啊！阐明其中的奥妙旨意，天地运行更迭变化，三年后化为疫病，这是可以看到根源的，必然有逃避的方法。假如是甲子年，刚柔（阳干与阴干）失守，阳干未能正中，阴干孤立而有亏损，时序不合常令，音律也不随之协调。像这样经过三年，就会发生大瘟疫。详细考察其轻重，察知其深浅，在发病前可以进行针刺治疗。针刺时应当先补肾俞穴，三天后再刺足太阴脾经的输穴。如果又有下位的地支甲子（如己卯年）未到，而天干甲子孤立的情况，那么三年后会发作土疠（土行之疫），其补泻方法，完全与甲子年的法则相同。
假如是丙寅年，刚柔失守，上位的阳干失守，下位的阴干不能单独主事，中间的土运（注：原文“水运”疑为笔误或特定语境，丙辛化水，此处依原文翻译为水运，但结合上下文逻辑及五运六气，丙年为水运太过或不及，此处指代中运状态）并非太过，不能拘泥于常规法度来判定。布天之气有余，却失守了上位的正位，天地不相合，于是律吕音异。像这样天运失去秩序，三年后变为疫病，详细考察其轻重，大小略有差异，到来时间有迟有速，即三年后，若病情严重则提前至首年发作。应当先补心俞穴，五天后再刺肾经的合穴。如果又有下位的地支甲子（如辛巳年）阴柔不依附于阳刚，也叫做失守，即地运皆虚，三年后变为水疠（水行之疫），其针刺方法都是如此。
针刺完毕后，要谨慎内心不要大喜欲情，如果不忌讳，真气就会再次耗散。让心神宁静七天，使心气充实，引导少思虑。假如是庚辰年，刚柔失守，上位失守，下位无合，乙庚属金运，所以不相招引，布天之气未退。中运胜气来临，上下相错，叫做失守，姑洗与林钟二律，商音不应。像这样天运化易，三年后变为大瘟疫。详细推算天数，差别有微甚，轻微则三年后发作，严重则三年后严重发作。应当先补肝俞穴，三天后再刺肺经的行穴。针刺完毕，可让精神宁静七天，千万不要大怒，大怒必致真气耗散。或者在下位地支甲子中，乙未年失守的，即乙为阴柔之干，上位的庚独自主治，也叫做失守。即天运由孤立的干主导，三年后变疠，名叫金疠（金行之疫）。其到来等待时机，详细考察地支数目的差等，也是推究其微甚，就可以知道迟速了。诸位乙庚失守，针刺方法相同，肝气欲平和，就不要发怒。
假如是壬午年，刚柔失守，上位的壬水未迁正，下位的丁火独然，即虽然是阳年，亏损及不同，上下失守，相互招引是有期限的，差别有微甚，各有其数，律吕二角音，失而不和。同音之日，微甚如见，三年后大疫。应当刺脾俞穴，三天后再刺肝经的出穴。针刺完毕静神七天，不要大醉歌乐，否则气会再次耗散，也不要饱食，不要吃生冷食物。想要使脾气充实，气无滞塞，饱食后不要久坐，饮食不要太酸，不要吃一切生冷生物，适宜甘淡之味。或者在地下甲子中，丁酉年失守其位，未能得到中司之位，即气不当位，下位不与壬水奉合，也叫做失守，不叫合德。故阴柔不依附阳刚，即地运不合，三年后变疠，其针刺方法一如木疫（木行之疫）的法则。
假如是戊申年，刚柔失守，戊癸虽为火运阳年，但不过分太过。上位失其刚柔，地气单独主事而不正，故有邪气干扰，位置更迭移动，差别有浅深，将要相合时，音律先同。像这样天运失时，三年之中，火疫就会到来。应当刺肺俞穴，针刺完毕静神七天，不要过度悲伤，悲伤则肺动而真气再次耗散。人想要充实肺气，关键在于调息。或者在地下甲子中癸亥年失守的，即阴柔失守其位，即上位失其刚，也叫做戊癸不相合德，即运与地皆虚，三年后变疠，却名叫火疠（火行之疫）。
因此确立地支五年以明确失守情况，以穷尽针刺法则，于是疫与疠，就是上下刚柔的名称，最终归结为一体。即刺治疫病的方法，只有五种，总括各位失守的情况，所以只归五行统辖。
The Yellow Emperor asked: If the Yang (Gang) and Yin (Rou) Heavenly Stems lose their positions, causing the Qi of Heaven's movement to become deficient, thereby bringing disease to the people, can it be balanced? Qibo replied: Your question is profound. To clarify its profound principles, as Heaven and Earth shift alternately, after three years an epidemic transforms. This is where the root becomes visible; there must be a way to escape. For example, in the Jiazi year, if Gang and Rou lose their positions, and Gang does not take its proper place while Rou stands alone and deficient, the seasonal order will not follow its command, and thus musical pitch will not harmonize. After three years like this, a great plague will occur. Examine its severity and depth; when approaching, acupuncture can be applied. One should first tonify Shenshu (BL23), and three days later, needle the Ying-Spring point of Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. If furthermore, the lower position's Earthly Branch Jiazi (e.g., Jimao) has not arrived, leaving Jiazi isolated, then after three years, a Tu Li (Earth Plague) will manifest. The method of tonification and sedation is exactly the same as for Jiazi.
For example, in the Bingyin year, if Gang and Rou lose their positions, the upper Gang Stem loses its post, and the lower Rou Stem cannot govern alone. The central Water Yun (Water Phase Movement) is not excessive, so one cannot rigidly apply standard rules. If Heaven's distribution has surplus but fails to maintain the upper correct position, Heaven and Earth do not harmonize, and thus the Lyu-Lü (pitch pipes) produce different sounds. In such cases, Heaven's movement loses order, and after three years, an epidemic transforms. Examining its severity, there are differences in size and timing; it may arrive slowly or quickly. If severe, it arrives within the first three years. One should first tonify Xinsbu (BL15), and five days later, needle the He-Sea point of the Kidney Meridian. If furthermore, at the lower position, the Earthly Branch Jiazi (e.g., XinSi) shows Rou not adhering to Gang, it is also called losing position, meaning Earth's Yun is all deficient. After three years, a Shui Li (Water Plague) transforms. The acupuncture methods are all like this.
After acupuncture is completed, be cautious against excessive joy and desire within. If one does not observe this taboo, the Qi will scatter again. Let the spirit remain tranquil for seven days; let Heart Qi be substantial, guiding minimal thought. For example, in the Gengchen year, if Gang and Rou lose their positions, the upper position loses control, and the lower position has no union. Yi and Geng belong to Metal Yun, so they do not attract each other; Heaven's distribution has not receded. The central Yun's winning Qi comes, causing upper and lower to clash, which is called losing position. Guxian and Linzhong (pitch pipes) fail to respond with Shang sound. In such cases, Heaven's Yun transformation changes, and after three years, a great plague occurs. Calculate the heavenly numbers; differences exist in subtlety and severity. Subtle means subtle arrival in three years; severe means severe arrival in three years. One should first tonify Ganshu (BL18), and three days later, needle the Jing-River point of the Lung Meridian. After acupuncture, calm the spirit for seven days; avoid anger greatly, for anger causes True Qi to dissipate. Or, in the lower Earthly Branch Jiazi, if Yiwu loses its position, Yi being a Rou Stem, the upper Geng governs alone. This is also called losing position. Heaven's Yun is governed by isolation; after three years, a plague transforms, named Jin Li (Metal Plague). Its arrival waits for time; examine the difference in Earthly Branch numbers, deducing subtlety and severity to know speed. For all positions where Yi and Geng lose position, the acupuncture method is the same. Liver desires peace, so do not be angry.
For example, in the Renwu year, if Gang and Rou lose their positions, the upper Ren has not moved to the correct position, while the lower Ding stands alone. Although it is a Yang year, deficiency differs; upper and lower lose position, attracting each other within a period. Differences in subtlety and severity have their own numbers. Erjiao (pitch pipes) lose harmony. When tones match, subtlety and severity appear; after three years, a great plague. One should needle Pishu (BL20), and three days later, needle the Jing-Spring point of the Liver Meridian. After acupuncture, calm the spirit for seven days; avoid drunkenness and singing/music, lest Qi scatter again. Avoid overeating and raw/cold food. To make Spleen Qi substantial, ensure Qi is not stagnant; do not sit long after eating; avoid overly sour food and all raw/cold biological products. Favor sweet and bland flavors. Or, in the lower Earthly Branch Jiazi, if Dingyou loses its position and fails to obtain the central governance, Qi is not in its proper place, and the lower does not combine with Ren. This is also called losing position, not combining virtue. Thus, Rou does not adhere to Gang, Earth Yun does not harmonize, and after three years, a plague transforms. The acupuncture method is identical to that of Mu Li (Wood Plague).
For example, in the Wushen year, if Gang and Rou lose their positions, although Wu and Gui represent Fire Yun and Yang years, it is not excessively excessive. The upper loses its Gang-Rou balance; Earth governs Qi alone without correctness, so evil interferes. Positions shift alternately, differences vary in depth. When approaching union, musical pitches first harmonize. In such cases, Heaven's Yun loses its season. Within three years, Huo Yi (Fire Epidemic) arrives. One should needle Feishu (BL13); after acupuncture, calm the spirit for seven days; avoid excessive sorrow, for sorrow moves the Lung and True Qi scatters again. To substantiate Lung Qi, the key lies in regulating breath. Or, in the lower Earthly Branch Jiazi, if Guihai loses its position, Rou loses its place, and the upper loses its Gang. This is also called Wu and Gui failing to combine virtue. Yun and Earth are both deficient; after three years, a plague transforms, yet named Huo Li (Fire Plague).
Therefore, establish five Earthly Branch cycles to clarify loss of position and exhaust acupuncture methods. Thus, Yi and Li refer to the names of upper/lower Gang/Rou, ultimately returning to one entity. The methods for treating epidemics consist only of five techniques, summarizing all positional losses, thus unified under the Five Phases.