In 1876 he became an associate professor of pharmacology at Erlangen, and ten years later, was appointed a full professor of the same subject at the
University of Breslau.[3] In 1911 he was succeeded at Breslau by
Julius Pohl.[4]
In addition to work in the field of pharmacology, he made contributions in his research of
optical illusions, being known for his experimentation with a phenomenon known as a
Zöllner illusion.[5] The so-called "Filehne illusion" is the illusory motion of a stationary background when
smooth pursuit eye movements are made across the stationary background.[6][7]
Selected works
Ueber die einwirkung des morphins auf die athmung, 1879 – On the effect of
morphine on
respiration.
Ueber das Antipyrin, ein neues Antipyreticum, 1884 – On
antipyrine, a new antipyretic.[8]
Lehrbuch der Arzneimittellehre und Arzneiverordnungslehre, 1887 – Textbook of pharmacology.[9]
Ueber das Pyramidon, ein Antipyrinderivat, 1896 – On
Pyramidon, an antipyrine derivative.[10]