History

The medal was awarded in recognition of merit displayed during the cholera epidemic.

During the 19th century, there were numerous cholera pandemics. Cholera began in India, but quickly spread to Europe. In 1833, cholera reached Spain. The first cholera vaccine was created by Dr. Jaime Ferran, a Spanish doctor, in 1885. Due to international politics and skepticism from the United States and the United Kingdom, the vaccine was not distributed worldwide immediately after Ferran created it. Over 120,000 people died of cholera during the epidemics.

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