# Alfred Bielschowsky

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**Alfred Bielschowsky** (December 11, 1871 – April 5, 1940) was a German [ophthalmologist](/source/Ophthalmologist). His specialty was [physiology](/source/Physiology) and [pathology](/source/Pathology) of the eye, particularly regarding research on [eye movement](/source/Eye_movement), space perception, and diagnosis of [oculomotor](/source/Oculomotor) anomalies.

Bielschowsky was born in [Namslau (Namysłów)](/source/Namys%C5%82%C3%B3w), [Prussian Silesia](/source/Prussian_Silesia). After attending the Königliches Katholisches Gymnasium of [Glatz (Kłodzko)](/source/K%C5%82odzko), he studied medicine at the [University of Breslau (Wrocław)](/source/University_of_Wroc%C5%82aw) and at the [University of Heidelberg](/source/University_of_Heidelberg). At Heidelberg, he was a student of [ophthalmologist](/source/Ophthalmologist) [Theodor Leber](/source/Theodor_Leber) (1840-1917). Afterwards, he studied medicine at the [University of Berlin](/source/Humboldt_University_of_Berlin), attending the lectures of [Karl Ernst Theodor Schweigger](/source/Karl_Ernst_Theodor_Schweigger) (1830-1905) and graduating in 1893. He received his medical license in [Leipzig](/source/Leipzig) on March 1 of the same year.

Bielschowsky subsequently studied and worked at the eye clinic at the [University of Leipzig](/source/University_of_Leipzig), receiving his [habilitation](/source/Habilitation) in 1900 and becoming head physician of the clinic in 1906. While at Leipzig, he worked under physiologist [Ewald Hering](/source/Ewald_Hering) (1834-1918) and with [Franz Bruno Hofmann](/source/Franz_Bruno_Hofmann) (1869-1926), and conducted studies of fusion and cyclodeviation in [superior oblique muscle](/source/Superior_oblique_muscle) [paresis](/source/Paresis). In 1912, Bielschowsky was appointed chair of ophthalmology at the [University of Marburg](/source/University_of_Marburg).

During [World War I](/source/World_War_I), Bielschowsky established a hospital ward and [Braille](/source/Braille) instruction for the treatment of blinded soldiers. In 1916, along with [Carl Strehl](/source/Carl_Strehl) (1886-1971), he founded the *Verein blinder Akademiker Deutschlands* (Association of Blinded Academics of Germany). For his wartime contributions, he was awarded the [Iron Cross](/source/Iron_Cross) for War Aid from [Paul von Hindenburg](/source/Paul_von_Hindenburg) and honored with the title of *Geheimer Medizinalrat* (Privy Medical Counselor) by [Wilhelm II, German Emperor](/source/Wilhelm_II,_German_Emperor).

In 1923, Bielschowsky was appointed chair of ophthalmology at the University of Breslau. While here, he published "*Die Lähmungen der Augenmuskeln*" (1932), an influential work on [eye muscle](/source/Eye_muscles) disturbances.

Because of his [Jewish](/source/Jew) heritage and [Nazi persecution](/source/Racial_policy_of_Nazi_Germany), Bielschowsky was fired from his position in 1934, later emigrating to the United States (1936). In 1937, he became head of the [Dartmouth Eye Institute](/source/Dartmouth_Eye_Institute) at [Dartmouth College](/source/Dartmouth_College) in [Hanover, New Hampshire](/source/Hanover,_New_Hampshire).[1] However, he died suddenly in 1940. In the same year, his ["Lectures on motor anomalies"](https://books.google.com/books/about/Lectures_on_Motor_Anomalies.html?id=CeGtAAAAIAAJ) was published.

## Associated eponym

- [Bielschowsky's head tilt test](/source/Bielschowsky's_head_tilt_test):[2] A test for [palsy](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/palsy) of the [superior oblique muscle](/source/Superior_oblique_muscle) caused by damage to [cranial nerve](/source/Cranial_nerve) IV ([trochlear nerve](/source/Trochlear_nerve)).

## References

1. [Prof. Dr. med. Alfred Bielschowsky](http://www.uni-leipzig.de/unigeschichte/professorenkatalog/leipzig/Bielschowsky_735/) Professorenkatalog der Universität Leipzig

- [Ophthalmology Hall of Fame](http://www.mrcophth.com/ophthalmologyhalloffame/bielschowsky.html) (Biography and Photo)
- [*Alfred Bielschowsky*](http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/2257.html) @ [Who Named It](/source/Who_Named_It)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alfred Bielschowsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Bielschowsky) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Bielschowsky?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.