This volume establishes a standardized system for the classification and nomenclature of diseases and surgical operations to ensure consistency in medical record-keeping. Adaline C. Hayden and Edward T. Thompson, acting under the auspices of the American Medical Association, developed this framework to provide a common language for physicians, hospitals, and medical researchers. The text utilizes a dual-axis coding system that categorizes conditions by both anatomical site and etiological agent, facilitating accurate data retrieval and statistical analysis.

Medical historians and archivists recognize this text as a foundational document in the evolution of clinical documentation and medical informatics. Readers frequently note the high level of technical density and the historical significance of the nomenclature systems presented within the 1961 edition.