/oss/taxonomy/term/7078/all en /oss/article/history-did-you-know/farmer-epsom-salt-moses-and-some-sweet-chemistry <p>In 1618 a farmer in England noticed that he could lead his cows to water but could not make them drink. He tasted the well water himself and realized right away that there was some wisdom to the cows’ behavior. The water tasted terribly bitter! Something that tasted so terrible, must be good for something, he thought. It sure was. The water made for a very nice soothing hot footbath and even had a healing effect on scratches and skin rashes. The most dramatic effect, however, was noted when the farmer drank a whole glass of the water.</p> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:29:35 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9619 at /oss