Segment Data (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Segment Operating Income
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 2,194,154	$ 2,079,959	$ 2,018,830
Unallocated Expenses	(477,891)	(418,799)	(440,239)
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	1,716,263	1,661,160	1,578,591
Medical [Member]
Segment Operating Income
Total Segment Operating Income	1,181,404	1,118,319	1,049,236
Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Operating Income
Total Segment Operating Income	636,361	607,411	607,250
Biosciences [Member]
Segment Operating Income
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 376,389	$ 354,229	$ 362,344

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 4

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Subparagraph 1(i)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration