Grunnill in Doans Back and Kidney Pills Advert

By Angela Gooch on December 30th, 2007

1927 newspaper advert

I was taken rather aback when I perchanced on this old newspaper advert for Doan’s B&K Pills as it contained a testimonial from a well-known Skegness family member, Mr M Grunnill.

This brand of analgesic and mild diuretic was advertised and distributed world-wide, so it came somewhat of a shock to see that its advertisers skillfully included testimonials from local residents. Flicking through old newspaper issues in the 1920s, it seems that this was a common advertising ploy.

Let’s remind ourselves that the Grunnill Family in Skegness has been connected with the Skegness Lifeboat for decades.

Back Given Out ?
Then Follow the Advice of This Skegness Resident.

Are you dragging along day after day with a dull, nagging backache? Do you feel nervous and tired, tormented with sharp pains at every sudden movement? Then look to your kidneys!

Colds, strains and overwork weaken the kidneys and bring on throbbing backache and knife-like twinges. Don’t invite lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism, dropsy and other serious kidney troubles!

At the first sign of trouble use Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills to strengthen and stimulate the kidneys. Read what this Skegness resident says of Doan’s:

On 25th May, 1921, Mr. M. Grunnill 9, Drummond Road, Skegness, said:—”If I caught cold, I was afflicted with such cutting pains across the small of my back that it was difficult to work. It I stooped it was hard to get up again. There were other symptoms of disordered kidneys too.
“I found benefit as soon as I started with Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills. They relieved the pain in my back, and all the other distressing symptoms were removed.”
On 31st May, 1926, Mr. Grunnill said:—”I can highly recommend Doan’s Pills. They are a splendid kidney medicine. (Signed) M. Grunnill.”

Same price everywhere, 3s. a box. Don’t ask for “backache pills,” or “kidney pills,” ask distinctly for DOAN’S Backache Kidney Pills, the same as Mr. Grunnill had.