Final answer:
Eijkman's work aided the transition from miasma to germ theory of disease, challenging the existing ideas about disease development and contributing to the establishment of modern epidemiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eijkman's work contributed to a paradigm shift in how scientists understood diseases. His research helped move the scientific community away from the miasma theory of disease towards the germ theory of disease. This was a significant development in the field of epidemiology and the study of infectious diseases.
Before the acceptance of the germ theory, many diseases were attributed to 'bad air' or miasmas emanating from rotting materials. Eijkman's observations, along with the works of scientists like Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, Joseph Lister, and others, provided evidence that many diseases were actually caused by microorganisms. This understanding led to better practices in sanitation, medicine, and public health, drastically reducing the incidence of infections and saving countless lives.