Henry Wicker discovers bitter salt

Farmer Henry Wicker discovers near the town of Epsom in Surrey (21 km from London) a well of water that the cattle do not drink even during the ongoing drought. After tasting the water, he found it very bitter. After its evaporation, crystals remained, which soon received the name "Epsom salt". Wickers found that bathing in this water relaxed sore muscles and softened hardened skin. It also soon proved to be an excellent laxative. In the following decades, Epsom salt became known throughout Europe. However, most of the Epsom salt consumed in Europe does not come from the city of Epsom, it was replaced by the bitter salt deposit of Sedlecká - Zaječická bitter water near the royal city of Most in Bohemia.