Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,559,558	$ 1,467,641	$ 4,558,007	$ 4,170,429
Cost of products sold	1,022,163	988,825	3,002,506	2,738,715
Cost of products sold - restructuring and merger and integration	1,166	13,131	7,588	36,276
Gross Profit	536,229	465,685	1,547,913	1,395,438
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	251,016	225,016	740,419	678,170
Amortization	24,200	22,031	72,594	62,825
Other restructuring and merger and integration costs	6,870	19,422	35,522	51,231
Other special project costs	0	0	6,669	0
Loss on divestiture	0	0	0	11,287
Other operating income - net	(4,164)	(1,150)	(3,665)	(758)
Operating Income	258,307	200,366	696,374	592,683
Interest income	466	464	1,122	1,090
Interest expense	(24,226)	(23,599)	(72,374)	(58,469)
Other (expense) income - net	(553)	4	355	1,958
Income Before Income Taxes	233,994	177,235	625,477	537,262
Income taxes	79,826	60,391	211,599	181,648
Net Income	$ 154,168	$ 116,844	$ 413,878	$ 355,614
Earnings per common share:
Net Income	$ 1.42	$ 1.03	$ 3.78	$ 3.12
Net Income - Assuming Dilution	$ 1.42	$ 1.03	$ 3.78	$ 3.12
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.52	$ 0.48	$ 1.56	$ 1.44