Draws on published and archival sources to summarize the principal events in the history of the New World version of the infectious disease named after its discoverer. Describes the political, socioeconomic, and scientific characteristics in Brazil leading up to the 1910 discovery and how they altered pathogenic concepts, therapeutic measures, and medical research. Also explores how Chagas turned from his malaria research, the new scientific concepts he drew from, and his struggle until the 1920s to establish public health in Brazil against obstacles of enduring traditions and scarce resources. No index. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
