This work details surgical interventions for calculous obstruction of the common bile duct. The author, James E. Bell, presents a series of documented cases where patients suffered from obstructions caused by gallstones in the common bile duct. The primary focus is on the surgical technique of incision and subsequent removal of these calculi, detailing the procedures and outcomes observed in each case.

This historical medical text likely serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of surgical techniques in treating biliary tract obstructions. The focus on specific case studies suggests a detailed, empirical approach to documenting surgical practice from its era. The authority perspective would view this as a primary source document illustrating early surgical endeavors in a critical area of internal medicine.