1. using your own words, give a definition of epidemiology. before you read chapter 1, what were your impressions regarding the scope of epidemiology? based on the material presented in this chapter, what topics are covered by epidemiology? that is, to what extent does epidemiology focus exclusively upon the study of infectious diseases or upon other types of diseases and conditions? 2. how would the clinical and epidemiologic descriptions of a disease differ, and how would they be similar? 3. to what extent does epidemiology rely on medical disciplines for its content, and to what extent does it draw upon other disciplines? explain the statement that epidemiology is interdisciplinary. 4. describe the significance for epidemiology of the following historical developments: a. associating the environment with disease causality b. use of vital statistics c. use of natural experiments d. identification of specific agents of disease