Very interesting, Dale, indeed I would not in my wild dreams to name that gypsum Plaster of Paris, very inventive indeed, hehe.     Maybe it have been found initially in Paris? hard to say.

     Indeed there are several uses of it, and I found at least four different types of  them, I learned in this site:

     http://www.indiamart.com/shiva-mineral/products.html

    Plaster Of Paris (Commercial Grade)
    Plaster Of Paris (Medical Grade)
    Plaster Of Paris - Ceramic Grade (Sanitary Grade), and 
    Raw Gypsum - It is majorly used as a finish for walls and ceilings. In addition, Raw Gypsum Mineral is utilized in cement industry, paint fillers, fertilizers, and soil conditioners and as a binder in fast dry tennis court clay.

   http://www.marutimineralindustries.com/plaster-of-paris.htm
Used for (tough it didn´t say that are these four types):
  Interior decoration : as a false ceiling, studio sets etc
  Bandaging of broken bones
  Making statues
  Finishing walls
  Designing of masonry interiors and exteriors

  Applications :
  Orthopedic operations
  Surgery for cast POP Bandage Mfg
  Dental Molding operations
  Ceramic Industries 
  Pottery Industries
  Building Contraction
  Gold Dyeing operations
 

     And the following definition...oh my! I would not ever to know that cast (gesso) in my leg was known as Plaster of Paris! 

      That happened, when I tried to play soccer and kicked the ground instead of the ball...as expected, I broke the fifth metatarse and got a month leave for work then!

       Good that Davies brought this about, I do learned with it.

Molding plaster, or Plaster of Paris:
For model making and plaster casting for crafts, kids, preschool, and elementary school crafts

A heavy white powder, calcined gypsum, which, when mixed with water, forms a thick paste that sets quickly: used for casts, moldings, statuary, etc.