Westphal's Symptom
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Westphal's symptom refers to pupillary dilation and temporary loss of reaction to painful stimuli, particularly in cataleptics. It also includes the paradoxical phenomenon of pupillary constriction followed by dilation when forcefully closing the eyelids.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
WESTPHAL'S SYMPTOM, REFLEX, PHENOMENON (A. Westphal). The pupillary symptom consists of the fact that with painful irritations, especially in cataleptics, dilation of the pupils and their transient loss of reaction occurs. Westphal's reflex of attention: brief dilation of the pupil when attention is excited (see Ideomotor reflex). Westphal's paradoxical (pupillary, or orbicular) phenomenon consists of the constriction and subsequent dilation of the pupils with vigorous squeezing of the eyelids or when attempting to do so, while the movement of the eyelid is delayed by a finger. This phenomenon may persist even in the absence of the pupillary reflex.
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Cite this page
“Westphal's Symptom.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/westphal-symptom/