TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

1 Becton Drive,
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880
(201) 847-6800
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)

Bridget M. Healy
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Becton, Dickinson and Company
1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880
(201) 847-6800
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)

          Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

          If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. |_|

          If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. |X|

          If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|

          If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|

          If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. |_|

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

          The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

          Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement contains a prospectus that also relates to and describes $100,000,000 of Securities registered under Registration Statement No. 333-38193 on Form S-3 previously filed by the Registrant and declared effective on October 27, 1997.

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 25, 2003

$750,000,000

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

DEBT SECURITIES, COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS,
PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND UNITS

          Becton, Dickinson and Company from time to time may offer, at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $750,000,000, debt securities, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts and units. The debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other securities. The debt securities, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts and units may be offered, separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements to this prospectus.

          We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, and also may sell the securities directly to other purchasers or through agents. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and supplements carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by the prospectus supplement applicable to the securities being sold.

          Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BDX."

          Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880 and our telephone number is (201) 847-6800.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or
the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is                , 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

          This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a "shelf" registration process. Under this "shelf" process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $750,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." The prospectus supplement may also contain information about certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

          We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, the information and representations contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

          Unless the context indicates otherwise, the words "we," "our," "us," and "BD" refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

          We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

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          The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of the initial registration statement and before the effectiveness of the registration statement and after the effectiveness of the registration statement until we sell all of the securities:

          (a) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002;

          (b) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002;

          (c) Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2002, November 26, 2002, January 23, 2003, January 28, 2003, February 4, 2003 and March 19, 2003; and

          (d) The description of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and related rights to purchase preferred stock contained in a registration statement under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

          You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices at the following address:

Secretary
Becton, Dickinson and Company
1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes
New Jersey 07417-1880
Telephone (201) 847-6800.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

          This prospectus includes forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding our performance, including future revenues, products and income, or events or developments that we expect to occur or anticipate occurring in the future. All such statements are based upon our current expectations and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

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          The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements.

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BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

          Becton, Dickinson and Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in November 1906, as successor to a New York business started in 1897. Our executive offices are located at 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, and our telephone number is (201) 847-6800.

          We are a medical technology company engaged principally in the manufacture and sale of a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products used by healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. Our operations consist of three worldwide business segments:

          The major products in the BD Medical Systems segment are hypodermic syringes and needles for injection, insulin syringes and pen needles and blood glucose monitoring systems for diabetes care, infusion therapy devices, prefillable drug delivery systems and surgical blades and scalpels. This segment also includes specialty blades and cannulas for ophthalmic surgery procedures, anesthesia needles, critical care systems, elastic support products and thermometers.

          The major products in the BD Clinical Laboratory Solutions segment are clinical and industrial microbiology products, sample collection products, specimen management systems, hematology instruments, DNA probe instruments and other diagnostic systems, including immunodiagnostic test kits. This segment also includes consulting services and customized and automated bar-code systems.

          The BD Biosciences segment provides integrated systems, products and services for a variety of applications in life sciences. The major products are flow cytometry systems for cell analysis, monoclonal antibodies for biomedical research, molecular biology products for the study of genes and their functions, cell growth and screening products, and labware products.

          Our products are manufactured and sold worldwide. The principal markets for our products outside the United States are Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America. The principal products that we sell outside of the United States are hypodermic needles and syringes, insulin syringes and pen needles, diagnostic systems, VACUTAINER(R) brand blood collection products, HYPAK(R) brand prefillable syringe systems, and infusion therapy products. We have manufacturing operations in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

          We market our products and services in the United States and internationally through sales representatives and independent distribution channels, as well as directly to end-users.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

          Except as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, our net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be added to our general funds and may be used to repay outstanding debt and to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements. We have not allocated a specific portion of the net proceeds for any particular use at this time. Pending application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in marketable securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

          The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

          For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, we calculate earnings by adding fixed charges to income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, and by deducting both net interest capitalized during the period and our share of the undistributed income in less-than-fifty-percent-owned affiliates. Fixed charges include total interest, including capitalized interest, the portion of rental expense which we believe is representative of the interest factor of our rental expense and the amortization of debt issuance costs.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

          The following description sets forth general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may offer. The prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of the debt securities being offered and the extent to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities.

          The debt securities will be issued under the indenture, dated March 1, 1997, between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. A copy of the indenture is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus and you should refer to the indenture for provisions that may be important to you.

General

          The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities we can issue. The indenture provides that debt securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series.

          The prospectus relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

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          The debt securities will be issued in registered form without coupons unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or board resolution. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, principal (unless the context otherwise requires, “principal” includes premium, if any) of and any interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the debt securities will be exchangeable and transfers thereof will be registrable, at an office or agency designated for the debt securities, provided that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the security register. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, such services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

          Debt securities may be issued under the indenture as original issue discount securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from the principal amount. If any debt securities are original issue discount securities, special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may apply and will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. “Original Issue Discount Security” means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity due to the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

Global Securities

          The debt securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global debt securities that are registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or its nominee, as depositary, unless another depositary is designated for the debt securities of that series. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, debt securities in definitive form will not be issued. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form, it may not be registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the depositary for that global security to a nominee of the depositary.

          Upon the issuance of any global security, and its deposit with or on behalf of the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions, the participants, that are entitled to the registered global security that have accounts with the depositary designated by the underwriters or their agents engaging in any distribution of the debt securities. The depositary advises that pursuant to procedures established by it:

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          The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. The foregoing limitations and these laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.

          As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or its nominee, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not:

          Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person holds its interest, in order to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities under the indenture. The depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder of debt securities is entitled to give or take under the indenture.

          We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders of debt securities or any owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder of debt securities is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give that notice or take that action, and the participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through them to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of the beneficial owners owning through them.

          The depositary or a nominee thereof, as holder of record of a global security, will be entitled to receive payments of principal and interest for payment to beneficial owners in accordance with customary procedures established from time to time by the depositary. The agent for the payment, transfer and exchange of the securities is the trustee, acting through its corporate trust office located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

          We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of a global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the responsibility of the participants. We, the trustee, our agents and the trustee’s agents shall not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

          If we determine that debt securities will no longer be maintained as global securities, or, if at any time an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, or if the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue debt securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for the registered global securities.

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          In the event that the book-entry system is discontinued, the following provisions shall apply. The trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture shall keep a register for the debt securities in definitive certificated form at its corporate trust office. Subject to the further conditions contained in the indenture, debt securities in definitive certificated form may be transferred or exchanged for one or more debt securities in different authorized denominations upon surrender of the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture by the registered holders or their duly authorized attorneys. Upon surrender of any debt security to be transferred or exchanged, the trustee or any successor registrar under the indenture shall record the transfer or exchange in the security register and we will issue, and the trustee shall authenticate and deliver, new debt securities in definitive certificated form appropriately registered and in appropriate authorized denominations. The trustee shall be entitled to treat the registered holders of the debt securities in definitive certificated form, as their names appear in the security register as of the appropriate date, as the owners of the debt securities for all purposes under the indenture.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

          We have agreed not to consolidate or merge with any other person, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets as an entirety unless:

          Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, lease or other disposition, the surviving corporation will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power that we have under the indenture and under the debt securities.

Events of Default

          The following are “events of default” under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:

          If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may require us to repay immediately:

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          At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on that acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, waive all defaults with respect to that series and rescind and annul the acceleration.

          We are required to furnish to the trustee annually an Officer’s Certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. We must notify the trustee within five days of any default or event of default.

          The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 60 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the debt securities of any series, give to the holders of the debt securities notice of all defaults. In certain instances, the trustee may withhold that notice if and so long as a responsible officer in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities. By “default” we mean any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an event of default.

          The indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

          Subject to the further conditions contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the debt securities of any series may waive, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, any past default or event of default and its consequences except a default or event of default

          The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any provisions for events of default applicable to the debt securities of any series in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of, the provisions described above.

Covenants

          We have agreed to some restrictions on our activities for the benefit of holders of the debt securities. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the restrictive covenants summarized below will apply so long as any of the debt securities are outstanding, unless the covenants are waived or amended. The prospectus supplement may contain different covenants. We have provided the definitions to define the capitalized words used in describing the covenants.

     Definitions

          “Attributable Debt” means with respect to a lease, the total net amount of rent (discounted at a rate per annum equivalent to the interest rate inherent in such lease, as we determine in good faith, compounded semiannually) required to be paid during the remaining term of such lease, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.

          “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting (i) all current liabilities (excluding any

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liabilities constituting funded debt by reason of being renewable or extendible), (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, (iii) investments in and advances to subsidiaries which are not Restricted Subsidiaries, and (iv) minority interests in the equity of Restricted Subsidiaries.

          “Funded Debt” means all indebtedness for borrowed money maturing more than 12 months after the time of computation thereof, guarantees of such indebtedness of others (except guarantees of collection arising in the ordinary course of business), and all obligations in respect of lease rentals which, under generally accepted accounting principles, are shown on a balance sheet as a non-current liability.

          “Principal Property” means any building, structure or other facility (together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof) now owned or hereafter acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary and used primarily for manufacturing, processing or warehousing and located in the United States (excluding its territories and possessions, but including Puerto Rico), the gross book value (without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which is in excess of 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, other than any such building, structure or other facility or portion which, in the opinion of our board of directors, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety.

          “Restricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary that substantially all of the property and operations of which are located in the United States (excluding its territories and possessions, but including Puerto Rico), and which owns or leases a Principal Property, except a subsidiary which is primarily engaged in the business of a finance company.

          “Subsidiary” means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more other subsidiaries, or by us and by one or more other subsidiaries.

          If we or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes or guarantees any debt secured by a mortgage on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or debt of any Restricted Subsidiary, we will secure, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to secure, the debt securities (and, if we choose, any other debt of ours or that Restricted Subsidiary which is not subordinate to the debt securities) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such secured debt. However, we may incur secured debt without securing this debt, if the aggregate amount of all such debt so secured, together with all our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ Attributable Debt in respect of certain sale and leaseback transactions involving Principal Properties, would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. This restriction will not apply to, and we will exclude from our calculation of secured debt for the purposes of this restriction, debt secured by:

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          We have agreed that we will not, and we will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving the taking back of a lease, for a period of three or more years, of any Principal Property, the acquisition, completion of construction or commencement of full operation of which has occurred more than 120 days prior thereto, unless:

          These restrictions will not apply to any sale and leaseback transactions between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between a Restricted Subsidiary and another Restricted Subsidiary.

Modification and Waiver

          Under the indenture we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities in order:

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          We and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, amend the indenture and the debt securities of any series for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any provisions of the indenture or modifying the rights of holders of debt securities under the indenture. However, without the consent of each holder of any debt security affected, we may not amend or modify the indenture to:

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

          When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. Unless the terms of the debt securities of any series provide otherwise, we may elect either:

          upon (or, with respect to defeasance of debt securities payable later than one year from the date of defeasance, on the 91st day after) the deposit with the trustee, in trust for that purpose, of money and/or U.S. Government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient without reinvestment to pay the principal of and interest on the debt securities.

          As a condition to defeasance of any debt securities of any series payable later than one year from the time of defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel and/or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to

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the effect that holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of that defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred.

          We may exercise either defeasance option with respect to the debt securities of any series notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our defeasance option, payment of the debt securities of any series may not be accelerated because of a default or an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the debt securities of any series may not be accelerated by reason of an event of default with respect to the covenants to which the covenant defeasance applies. If acceleration were to occur by reason of another event of default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and U.S. Government obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on the debt securities. In other words, the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors. We will, however, remain liable for such payments at the time of the acceleration.

Governing Law

          The indenture and the debt securities are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

          We maintain a banking relationship with the trustee. The trustee also acts as trustee under another of our indentures and under a trust agreement to which we are a party.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

          We have 640,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 254,612,829 shares were outstanding as of February 28, 2003. We have 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 621,343 shares were outstanding as of February 28, 2003.

          Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of any funds legally available for dividends. Holders of our common stock are also entitled, upon our liquidation, and after claims of creditors and preferences of preferred stock, and any other class or series of preferred stock outstanding at the time of liquidation, to receive pro rata our net assets. We will pay dividends on our common stock only if we have paid or provided for dividends on our outstanding series of preferred stock for all prior periods.

          Our preferred stock has, or upon issuance may have, preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of our liquidation or dissolution. Our preferred stock also has such other preferences as may be fixed by our board of directors.

          Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of directors has provided, or may provide in the future, with respect to preferred stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that the board of directors may hereafter authorize. Shares of our common stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights, other than as described below under “—Shareholders’ Rights Plan”.

          Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as stockholders.

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Shareholders’ Rights Plan

          On November 28, 1995, we entered into a rights agreement, which we amended and restated on March 28, 2000 and further amended on April 24, 2000. The material provisions of that rights agreement are summarized below. However, since the terms of our rights agreement are complex, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For more information, you should read the agreement, which has been filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy.

          Under the rights agreement, a right may be exercised, under certain conditions, to purchase one eight-hundredth of a share of a series of our preferred stock at an exercise price of $67.50, subject to adjustment. The rights become exercisable if a party acquires or obtains the right to acquire 15% or more of our common stock without the approval of our board or after commencement or public announcement of an offer for 15% or more of our common stock. When exercisable, under certain conditions, each right also entitles the holder thereof to purchase shares of our common stock or the common stock of the acquirer, having a market value of two times the then current exercise price of that right.

          The rights expire in April 2006, and may be redeemed at a price of $.01 per right at any time prior to expiration or the acquisition by a party of 15% of our common stock. Under certain circumstances, the rights may be exchanged for common stock after they become exercisable.

          In addition to the rights agreement, we currently have the following provisions in our certificate of incorporation which could be considered “anti-takeover” provisions:

          Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws also deny stockholders the right to call a special meeting of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that only the board of directors may call special meetings of the stockholders.

          These provisions, in combination with the rights agreement, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.

Anti-Takeover Effects of the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act

          We are subject to the provisions of Section 14A-10A of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, which is known as the “New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act.” Under the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act, we are prohibited from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested shareholder” for a period of five years following the time at which that shareholder becomes an “interested shareholder” unless the business combination is approved by our board of directors before that shareholder became an “interested shareholder.” Covered business combinations include certain mergers, dispositions of assets or shares and recapitalizations.

          An "interested shareholder" is

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

          The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

          We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement.

          The prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

          We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

          We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a specified or varying number of securities, currencies or commodities at a purchase price, which may be based on a formula, at a future date. Alternatively, we may issue purchase contracts obligating us to purchase from holders, and obligating holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of securities, currencies or commodities at a purchase price, which may be based on a formula, at a future date. We may be entitled to satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of that purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell those securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract. The purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of units.

          The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or deferred basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the contracts in a specified manner to be described in the prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

          As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, shares of common stock or any combination of these securities. The prospectus supplement will describe:

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          We may sell the securities:

          The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

          Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

          The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

          We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the underwriters may be required to make.

          If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

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          The underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

          BD may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions. These financial institutions may in turn engage in sales of common stock to hedge their position, deliver this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the shares covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. BD may also sell shares of common stock short using this prospectus and deliver common stock covered by this prospectus to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge common stock to financial institutions that in turn may sell the shares of common stock using this prospectus. BD may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common stock covered by this prospectus to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligation and, if BD defaults in the performance of its obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

          One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled to under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

          The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

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VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

          Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement with respect to any securities, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Bridget M. Healy, our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004. As of February 28, 2003, Ms. Healy held 6,988 shares under our Deferred Compensation Plan, held 270 shares of our common stock directly and had options to acquire 222,018 shares. In addition, Ms. Healy had a vested interest, as of February 28, 2003, under our Savings Incentive Plan in 3,832 shares of our common stock and in 188 shares of our Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock.

EXPERTS

          The consolidated financial statements of BD and the related schedule, incorporated by reference in BD’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II.

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

          All of the above items except the registration fees are estimated.

Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

          Article XI of our by-laws provides as follows:

          “The Company shall indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, any corporate agent (as defined in said Act), or his legal representative, made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that he is or was a corporate agent of this Company.”

          The New Jersey Business Corporation Act permits or requires indemnification of officers and directors in the event that certain statutory standards of conduct are met. We maintain agreements providing for the indemnification of each of our officers and directors to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the New Jersey Business Corporation Act.

          We also maintain policies of insurance under which our directors and officers are insured subject to specified exclusions and deductible and maximum amounts against loss arising from any civil claim or claims which may be made against any director or officer (as so defined) of the Company by reason of any breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission or act done or alleged to have been done while acting in their respective capacities.

Item 16.  Exhibits.

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          * To be filed as an Exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales of the registered securities are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                  (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, unless the information required to be included in such post-effective amendment is contained in a periodic report filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference;

                  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement, unless the information required to be included in such post-effective amendment is contained in a periodic report filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in this Registration Statement;

                  (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

                  (2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

                  (3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

                  (4) that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey on the __day of March, 2003.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on the __ day of March, 2003 by or on behalf of the following persons in the capacities indicated.

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* Bridget M. Healy, by signing her name below, does sign this document on behalf of the person indicated above pursuant to a power of attorney duly executed by such person and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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