Hilton described Trichinella spiralis and suggested its parasitic nature.

Records the first operation for intestinal strangulation of the small intestine by Hilton at Guy’s Hospital. No anaesthetic was used; the patient died nine hours afterwards.

Hilton, surgeon to Guy’s Hospital, suggested that symptoms are disordered reflexes. He advocated complete rest in the treatment of surgical disorders of all parts of the body. Second and later editions were entitled On rest and pain. The timeless aspect of Hilton's basic advice that rest frequently eliminates pain, and that much pain will pass if the afflicted part of the body is rested, caused the book to remain in print for more than a century.