CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Published on December 16, 1997



EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-22871, 33-23055, 33-33791, 33-40787, 33-53375, 33-58367, 33-64115, 333-11885
and 333-16091 on Form S-8, and Registration Statement Nos. 333-23559 and 333-
38193 on Form S-3 of Becton, Dickinson and Company and the related Prospectuses
of our report dated November 6, 1997, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of Becton, Dickinson and Company included in
this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 1997.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
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Ernst & Young LLP

Hackensack, New Jersey
December 12, 1997