Cholera epidemic research. Illustration of a microscope view of objects and organisms found in water from a well in Romsey, Hampshire, during the cholera epidemic of 1854. Cholera, a bacterial infection of the intestines, was often fatal before modern treatments were developed. It spread in infected water supplies and killed millions in the 19th century. The bacterium causing the disease (Vibrio cholerae) was not identified until 1883. This page is from 'Appendix to Report of the Committee for Scientific Inquiries in relation to the cholera-epidemic of 1854' (1855), presented to the UK parliament by the General Board of Health of the Medical Council.