Este trabalho procura analisar a Saúde Pública como uma prática social, de relação de classes sociais, numa formação capitalista tardia e dependente. Parte-se do pressuposto que o caráter de dependência dá especificidades próprias ao desenvolvimento capitalista no Brasil e à institucionalização da Saúde Pública. Objetiva-se, especificamente, analisar a Saúde Pública como parte integrante na constituição de um Estado burguês. A análise engloba o período de 1889 a 1978, compreendendo quatro fases, correspondentes a rupturas políticas de regimes governamentais e está centralizada no Estado de São Paulo. Os dados analisados demonstram que, sob o domínio português e, ainda por um longo período, as atividades de saúde ficaram sob a responsabilidade de associações privadas, filantrópicas e/ou religiosas. Ao intensificar o processo de desenvolvimento capitalista e sob o impacto do imperialismo, a Saúde Pública ganha expressão e adquire uma área especifica de atuação estatal, criando estruturas técnico-burocráticas. Por meio destas, divulgam-se idéias, estabelecem-se regras e normas legais, destinam-se recursos financeiros e, também, viabilizam os diferentes interesses de classes e frações de classes, localizados dentro e fora do aparelho estatal. Os dados, ainda, demonstram que esse substrato material possibilita a sedimentação da Saúde Pública como uma atividade estatal e dá-lhe a legitimidade para impôr-se, mesmo coercitivamente, frente à sociedade.

The present investigation made an attempt to analyse Public Health as a social praxis, i.e., as a relationship of social classes inside a dependent capitalist framework. It was assumed that the external dependency of Brazilian society provides particularity to the development of capitalism and to the institutionalization of Public Heplth in Brazil. The main objective of the study was to analyse Public Health as part of the state, i.e. as one of the means to establish an imposed political order and legi timate power. Four phases were analysed between 1889 to 1978 corresponding to political ruptures of the government and was focused on the state of São Paulo. The data showed that although Brazil became independent from Portugal in 1822, Portuguese influence remained strong for a long period of time. At that phase, health activities as other social activities were private issues, being carried out by philantropic or religious associations. Upon the development of capitalism and under the impact of imperialism, Public Health increased its role and acquired its own area of state activity. Based on a bureaucratic form of organization, ideology was divulged, rules and heaith legislation were established, financial resources were allocated and different class or group interests, located inside or outside the state apparatus, were assured to coexist. Through that formal organization the relationship between health bureaucracy and clientele politics was guaranteed. Therefore, public resources were drained on behalf of private interest. It was demonstrated that alongside with it development, Public Health has consolidated itself as a state activity and has its action legitimated even when coercive measures are needed.