Abstract
At the beginning of the 20th century, trachoma, a contagious ophthalmic disease, became endemic in the interior of the state of São Paulo. In 1906, through the infection of almost 40% of the rural population examined, the state government implemented 25 treatment stations in several municipalities. It was an audacious campaign, spending resources with medical staff, transportation and medication. This research aimed to analyze why the Health Service intervened on trachoma in a period in which prophylactic actions were restricted to urban areas. The temporal cut begins in 1898, when the first medical article was published, and ends in 1906, with the formation of trachomatous posts. As sources, government reports, medical journals, theses and journals were used. We conclude that the pressure exerted by doctors and the press, concomitant to the protection of the agroexport sector, influenced the implementation of the commissions.
Keywords:
health history; trachoma; Sao Paulo [state]; immigrants