Alexander Carl Otto Westphal published his doctoral thesis in Berlin in 1888, initiating a medical career that spanned over four decades of German psychiatric and neurological research. Born in 1863 to psychiatrist Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal and Clara Mendelssohn, he established himself as a central figure in clinical diagnostics and academic medicine within the German Reich.
Academic Training and Clinical Early Years
After completing his studies at Heidelberg University and Berlin, Westphal secured positions under prominent medical figures. He served as an assistant to Wilhelm Heinrich Erb in Heidelberg and later to Heinrich Curschmann in Leipzig. By 1892, he moved to the Berlin Charité to manage the department for nervous diseases, working under the direction of Friedrich Jolly. He qualified in the specialized fields of neurology and psychiatry by 1894.
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In 1901, Westphal moved to the University of Greifswald to serve as an associate professor. Three years later, he relocated to the University of Bonn, where he accepted a position as a full professor. He maintained this academic appointment for twenty-four years, remaining in Bonn until his retirement in 1928. During this tenure, he focused on teaching and expanding the clinical literature in his sub-fields.
Contributions to Medical Literature and Diagnostics
Westphal produced significant research on diabetes insipidus, leukaemia, and pseudoleukaemia. Within the neurological sciences, he is linked to the Westphal-Pilcz sign, a neurotonic pupillary reaction identified alongside the Polish neurologist Jan Pilcz. Additionally, he compiled a complete edition of his father's scientific papers and co-authored studies on the physiology of pupillary movements with Otto Lowenstein, published in the series Abhandlungen aus der Neurologie, Psychiatrie, Psychologie und ihren Grenzgebieten.
Fast facts
- Born: 1863, Berlin
- Died: 1941, Bonn
- Doctorate: 1888, Berlin
- Burial site: Cemeteries at Hallesches Tor
- Key associations: University of Bonn, Berlin Charité
- Eponymous sign: Westphal-Pilcz sign
- Primary fields: Psychiatry, Neurology
Questions readers ask
What medical phenomenon is named after Alexander Westphal?
He is associated with the Westphal-Pilcz sign, which refers to a specific neurotonic pupillary reaction.
Where did Alexander Westphal conduct his professional research?
He worked at various institutions including the Berlin Charité, the University of Greifswald, and the University of Bonn.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Bonn
