5. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Parent	$ (258,816)	$ 598,810	$ 865,195	$ 269,326	$ 268,043	$ 656,774	$ 1,205,189	$ 1,194,143
Depreciation and Amortization							99,800	103,600
Right-of-use asset amortization							31,100	0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense							25,400	19,200
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Securities, Net							(200)	1,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses on Investments							1,600	0
Changes in fair market value of equity securities							(1,385,000)	(1,420,300)
Gain on divestiture of a product line	0			0			0	(5,100)
Loss on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment							300	1,200
Gain on sale of land	$ 0			$ 0			0	(4,100)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration							(600)	(6,500)
Payments for operating lease liabilities							(27,600)	0
Decrease in accounts receivable							30,400	72,200
Increase in inventories							(14,500)	(26,300)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets							47,900	(8,900)
Decrease in accounts payable and other current liabilities							(24,600)	(43,100)
Decrease in income taxes payable							(2,800)	(22,100)
Increase in deferred income taxes							310,900	316,700
Increase in other long term liabilities							5,500	5,400
Other							(4,700)	3,500
Net cash provided by operating activities							298,095	180,485
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired							4,500	5,700
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Investments Acquired							$ 2,800	$ 1,200