History

This Medal was founded to recognize the exceptional efforts of Italian men and women who had worked tirelessly to care for the sick, wounded, and suffering, and who had furthered public health and hygiene.

The bronze grade was added to the Medal on May 5, 1889.

The engraved name of the recipient may be featured on the reverse alongside the inscription.

The Type II Medals were awarded during the reign of King Umberto I. There were several versions of the Medal awarded during his reign, including for general health services, for service during the cholera epidemic of 1884, and for the promotion of vaccinations.

The Medals awarded to recognize general service in health and hygiene may be stamped with the engraver mark "C. MOSCETTI" or "C. CALVI" and have the right facing portrait of Umberto I on the obverse medallion, or they may be stamped with the engrave mark "L.R." or “S.J.” and have the left facing portrait of Umberto I on the obverse medallion.

The Medals awarded to recognize service during the cholera outbreak are stamped with the engraver mark "C. MOSCETTI" and they have the obverse and reverse inscriptions in Italian.

The Medals awarded to recognize service in the promotion of vaccination are stamped with the engraver mark “C. MOSCETTI," have a right facing portrait of Umberto I on the obverse medallion, and feature Latin inscriptions on the obverse and reverse.

There are no known examples of the Gold Medal (for general service) with a left facing portrait.