Wicker, Henry

During a drought in the summer of 1618 Henry Wicker (or Wickes) discovered on the common at Epsom, Surrey, a small hole filled with water. To his astonishment, not one of his thirsty cattle would drink there. This bitter water was found to have a healing effect on external sores and to be useful also as an internal medicament. By the middle of the seventeenth century, Epsom had become a fashionable spa, attracting famous visitors from the continent (40, 62). 

One of the earliest stories about Epsom salts dates back to 1618. The town of Epsom, in Surrey, England, was suffering from a severe drought. A farmer named Henry Wicker brought his cattle to drink from a watering hole on the town commons (central park). But the cattle would not drink the water. Wicker was surprised because he knew they were very thirsty. He tasted the water himself and found that it was very bitter. 

Magnesium was discovered during a drought in England in 1618, when Henry Wicker noticed a pool of water that was being ignored by cattle. He tasted it and found it very bitter. After the water evaporated, he had magnesium sulfate, or Epsom salts. 

---

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

---