A 35-year-old farmer from Punjab presents to the emergency department 2 hours after accidental exposure to an organophosphate pesticide. On examination, he has pinpoint pupils, excessive salivation, and muscle fasciculations. His colleague, who was exposed to the same pesticide but arrived 6 hours later, presents with dilated pupils, dry mouth, and no visible fasciculations. Which clinical feature best distinguishes the acute cholinergic phase from the intermediate syndrome in organophosphate poisoning?