"If nature fails, your food may remain undigested, leaving you headachy and irritable," counseled an old radio ad from the makers of Carter's Little Liver Pills. Though its laxative pills are still manufactured today, Carter's was required to remove "liver" from the name after a protracted legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission in the 1940s and '50s.
Carter's was unable to show any benefit to the liver, but the FTC apparently took no stance on the company's assertion, in that same old radio ad, that the pills would help you "feel cheerful and happy again." With just a touch of humor, the regulators might have raised another cautionary flag by noting Carter's sponsorship of a radio drama that was anything but sunny.
As for the painted words to the right of the Carter's sign (below), they appear to be unrelated. Can you make them out?
Surviving sign for Carter's Little Liver Pills
48 Ferry St. (Union-Prospect Sts.), Newark, New Jersey
So what exactly were Carter's liver pills for? To help you digest? To help you get rid of headaches and irritability? To help go to the bathroom easier? I'm not sure I have any idea at this point. *lol*
Posted by: Fatty Liver Diet | October 06, 2010 at 11:40 PM
"Headachy and irritable"...too funny! Maybe these were the early stages of their laxative pills? Still since these are still manufactured today, would like to see them.
Posted by: fatty liver | May 07, 2011 at 10:00 PM
They're for "evacuating your bowels"
Posted by: LittleLiverPooh | May 13, 2011 at 07:33 PM
I've heard of this Carter's Little Liver Pills. Its about time this is settled. I guess you would feel "feel cheerful and happy again" when you're not constipated anymore lol.
Posted by: Kristine | December 27, 2011 at 05:39 AM