1783-1800s Remarkable Doctor’s Manuscript of Medical Maladies and Remedies Kept by Multiple Generations of a Pioneering German Pennsylvania Family of Physicians

On offer is a remarkable 18th and 19th century medical manuscript that was kept for multiple generations by members of the pioneering Marschall (Marshall) family, who immigrated to Pennsylvania from Alsace, France in 1736. Beginning in the late 1700s, the Marshalls became well-known for their lineage of successful physicians practicing primarily in Lebanon County. In this manuscript, generations Dr. Marshalls share information on medical diagnoses, recipes for medicines and cures for hundreds of maladies. 

This is not only an incredible medical document, but an important look at the medical profession as practiced by Pennsylvania’s earliest European settlers.

The manuscript bears the signature and handwriting of three generations of Marschalls (Marshalls): Dr. David Marschall (Dr. David Marshall) (1749-1832), Dr. John Gloninger Marshall (1793-1849), and Dr. Edwin Bell Marshall (1853-1931). 

Background on the Marshall Family of Doctors

Dr. David Marshall was the first in a long line of Pennsylvania Dutch Marshalls who would practice medicine in Pennsylvania, primarily in Lebanon County. He is also the doctor who began this manuscript in 1783.

Dr. David Marshall was Born to Dietrich “Didier” Marschall (1706-1784) and Sarah Banzet. They were immigrants from Waldersbach, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. At the time, Alsace had a large German-speaking contingent, including the Marschalls. In 1736, Didier, Sarah and a number of their children sailed from Rotterdam, Netherlands on the ship Princess Augusta to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Didier bought 341 acres along the Wyomissing in Cumru township, Lancaster County. 

Dr. David Marshall was born in Berks County 13 years after his parents and siblings arrived in Pennsylvania. In 1780 he moved to Annville, Lebanon County to practice medicine. He married the much younger Elizabeth Gloninger (1769-1841) and practiced medicine. 

Dr. David Marshall and Elizabeth’s second son was Dr. John Gloninger Marshall (1793-1849), the second owner of, and contributor to, the manuscript. Dr. J.G. Marshall studied medicine under his father and became the leading physician in Annville. He married Elizabeth Behm in 1823. 

Dr. J.G. Marshall and Elizabeth had a son named Dr. Joseph Benjamin Marshall (1827-1859). He was a doctor who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1850 and practiced in Annville until his early death in 1859. His son, Dr. Edwin Bell Marshall (1853-1931) was the third owner of this manuscript. He inscribed his name on the inside front cover, but it is unclear whether he made additional contributions to the manuscript. Dr. E.B. Marshall attended the University of Pennsylvania and practiced medicine in Annville, Lebanon beginning in 1879. He married Margaret Ely in 1880. 

The Medical Manuscript

This book is absolutely priceless. It contains the medical teachings of Dr. David Marshall, written in a combination of German and Latin, followed by the teachings of his son, Dr. John Gloninger Marshall (and possibly Dr. Edwin Bell Marshall), also written mainly in German and Latin. 

The first 70 pages of the medical manuscript is written by Dr. David Marshall, who begins the book in 1783. He opens the manuscript with an introductory page, indicating his goals for the book. He indicates, in German, that the “Pennsylvania Doctors Card” will consist of investigations into natural properties, medical astrology, general illnesses and the medicinal remedies for each one. It is also to include instruction on the composition of medicinal remedies, their virtues and benefits as learned from the doctor’s experience, and detail on how to treat mankind thoroughly and justly while observing and enduring the suffering of people. 

For the next 69 pages, Dr. David Marshall writes a detailed manual that would have been indispensable to any 18th and early 19th century physician. His teachings begin simply with overviews of elements of the Animal, Mineral and Vegetable Kingdoms found to be useful in medicine and recipes for various preserves and the ailment the preserve will treat (such as a preserve made of clamshell orchid leaves crushed with ginger and sugar to treat scurvy and impurities).

He moves on to teaching about extracts from leaves and bark and how they can be distilled in oils for use as treatments. He discusses many conditions of the organs and provides recipes for elixirs to treat each aliment and instructions on how the elixirs should be administered. He provides recipes for many types of emplastrum (plasters) useful for a variety of injury and illness.

Dr. Marshall also discusses astrological elements of illness for many pages. He includes a Table of Astral Diseases, in which he explains that the union of fire and air impact the “psychic and corporal parts of man”. Each planet is connected to specific illnesses and body systems, such as Jupiter's relation to the kidneys and liver, Mercury's impact on the heart and lungs, Venus' connection to gonorrhoea and syphilis and the moon having connection to the spleen and epilepsy. He then spends many more pages discussing the the prevention and treatment of astral diseases. 

On page 71, Dr. David Marshall’s son, Dr. J.G. Marshall has inscribed his name. For about 36 pages, spread between pages 72 and 194 of the book, the younger Marshall records, mostly in German and Latin, his own medical knowledge. He organizes his portion of the manuscript differently, creating a table of contents of medical conditions and treatments, and then writes corresponding summaries over the next many pages. He also includes a translation chart with common medical and herbal terminology in German, Latin and English. A handy resource for anyone reading this book. 

The younger Marshall includes many dozens of ailments and cures, including flesh disease, fever, addiction, blisters, boils, hernias, brain disease, golden veins (hemorrhoids), stroke, obesity, angst, bloating, pregnancy, snoring, men’s urinary issues, children’s conditions, and more. Treatments discussed include tinctures, injections, solutions for gargling and many more. 

We do not know how much of the second half of the book is kept by J.G. Marshall versus his grandson, E.B. Marshall. While they have both written their names in the book, the only author and date we are certain of is David Marshall and his writing begun in 1783. We do believe the majority, if not all, of the second half of the book was kept by J.G. Marshall. 

The remarkable combination of 18th and 19th century medical knowledge of multiple generations of a pioneering Pennsylvania medical family is an absolutely priceless coming-together of the art and science of early medicine and the marriage of European and American culture and treatment philosophies. This book would be an invaluable addition to any medical library or any general Pennsylvania, Lebanon-specific, or German-Pennsylvania collection. 

The diary contains 282 pages, with around 125 pages of handwritten content. The hardcover diary 6.5x8 inches approx. The book is in reasonable condition for its age. The front cover has come completely detached. The spine is severely chipped. The back cover is attached. The string binding is holding but loose, and all pages are attached. The writing is in ink and is in legible 18th and 19th century German and Latin hand. Overall Fair. [Note: All translation completed for this research was done using multiple online translation services]