A reconstruction of the emergence, distribution and disappearence of Chagas' disease in the State of São Paulo (Brazil) is undertaken by interpretating existing epidemiological data through historical-materialism. Classical concepts concerning the distribution of the disease are shown inadequate to explain the epidemiology of Chagas'disease in São Paulo. By incorporating an analitical methodology and concepts used in geographical studies, an understanding of the evolution of the disease is achieved. The process is demonstrated peculiar to Central-South Brazil in a particular historical period. Chagas'disease, inasmuch as parasitosis of national expression, must be seen as having distinct epidemiological patterns occuring in differente historical periods.
