Acquisitions, Actual Results from Alliance Boots Operations Included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.75	$ 4.08	$ 2.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.74	$ 4.04	$ 2.23
Aggregate purchase price			$ 4,461	$ 0
Goodwill			15,966
Alliance Boots [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 8,370		13,895
Net earnings	$ 487		$ 817
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45		$ 0.80
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44		$ 0.79
Goodwill			$ 15,966
Intangible assets	$ 10,658		10,658
Other Acquisition [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price			112
Goodwill			22
Intangible assets	$ 78		$ 78