EXHIBIT 99



                                         Release Date:  January 29, 1998

                           BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                          SIGNS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO
                ACQUIRE MEDICAL DEVICES DIVISION OF THE BOC GROUP


         FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ - (JANUARY 29, 1998) - Becton Dickinson and
         Company (NYSE:BDX) announced today the signing of a definitive
         agreement to acquire the Medical Devices Division of Ohmeda,
         the health care business of The BOC Group for approximately
         $452 million.  Ohmeda's Medical Device Division (MDD) is a
         leading European marketer of intravenous catheters for infusion
         therapy and has a strong presence in developing markets in
         Eastern Europe and Asia.  In addition to peripheral catheters
         and other disposable devises for infusion therapy, the division
         supplies critical care products such as central venous
         catheters and pulmonary artery catheters in Europe and Asia.

         MDD has manufacturing and development facilities in Sweden,
         Germany, the UK and Singapore, with sales offices worldwide.
         Sales of the division were approximately $200 million in 1997.

         Clateo Castellini, chairman, president and CEO of Becton
         Dickinson said that "the acquisition of this business is an
         important continuation of our strategy to increase our growth
         rate and our relevance to customers by making acquisitions that
         fit strategically with our businesses.  The combination of
         Ohmeda's Medical Devices Division with our successful infusion
         therapy business will allow us to better serve customers
         worldwide, extending our global reach and taking advantage of
         the capabilities of both organizations to fulfill our company
         purpose of helping all people live healthy lives."

         Dr. Robert Adrion, president of Becton's Worldwide Infusion
         Therapy business, noted that "the Ohmeda and Becton Dickinson
         businesses are highly complementary in product lines and
         geographical presence.  We look forward to joining with the
         people of Ohmeda to continue improving the delivery of
         innovative health care solutions to global customers and to
         grow the business to its full potential."

         The BOC group announced its intention to sell its Ohmeda unit a
         number of months ago in order to more sharply focus on its
         strong positions in its core businesses:  industrial gases,
         vacuum technology and distribution.  Under separate definitive
         agreements signed today, the other parts of Ohmeda are being
         purchased by Instrumentarium Corporation, a Finland-based
         company, and by Baxter International Inc.

         Becton Dickinson expects to complete the transaction promptly
         following receipt of required government approvals and
         clearances.







         Becton Dickinson, headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey,
         manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies and
         devices and diagnostic systems for use by health care
         professions, medical research institutions and the general
         public.  For its most recent fiscal year, the company reported
         revenues of $2.8 billion.

         Becton Dickinson is being represented by Lazard Freres & Co.
         LLC in New York and Lazard Brothers and Co., Limited in London.

                                       ###

         This press release may contain certain forward looking
         statements regarding the Company's future performance,
         including future revenues, products and income, which are based
         upon current expectations of the Company and involve a number
         of business risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could cause
         actual results to vary materially from any forward looking
         statement include competitive factors, changes in regional,
         national or foreign economic conditions, changes in interest or
         foreign currency exchange rates, delays in product
         introductions, and changes in health care or other governmental
         regulation, as well as other factors discussed in the Company's
         filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
































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