John Small

Deputy Surgeon-General John Small (28 January 1823 – July 1879) was a British Army officer, physician, and early advocate for the use of large doses of quinine to treat malaria.

Early life Small was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the oldest son of Patrick Small and Mary Brown Small. His father was a silversmith, jeweller and auctioneer on Edinburgh's Advocate's Close. Small and his family were members of the Smalls of Dirnanean.

Career Small began his medical career as an apprentice under J. F. MacFarlan in the North Bridge section of Edinburgh. before returning to Mauritius as staff surgeon. He was promoted to surgeon-major on 30 December 1865. In 1867 Small co-authored the Report on the Malarial Epidemic Fever of Mauritius of 1866–67, in which large doses of quinine were advocated to treat malaria fever. Small was promoted to deputy surgeon-general in 1875 and placed in charge of medical services in the Woolwich district in London.

Death Small died at Woolwich in July 1879. He was survived by his widow and one daughter.