EQUITY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock by Class [Text Block]

				Capital in Excess
	Common Stock			of Par Value		Retained		Treasury Stock			Non-Controlling
Dollars and Shares in Millions	Shares	Par Value		of Stock		Earnings		Shares	Cost		Interest
Balance at January 1, 2009	2,205	$	220	$	2,757	$	22,549	226	$	(10,566)	$	(33)
Net earnings attributable to BMS	-		-		-		10,612	-		-		-
Cash dividends declared	-		-		-		(2,401)	-		-		-
Mead Johnson IPO	-		-		942		-	-		-		(160)
Adjustments to the Mead Johnson
net asset transfer	-		-		(7)		-	-		-		7
Mead Johnson split-off	-		-		-		-	269		(6,921)		105
Employee stock compensation plans	-		-		76		-	(4)		123		-
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling
interest	-		-		-		-	-		-		1,808
Other comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interest	-		-		-		-	-		-		10
Distributions	-		-		-		-	-		-		(1,795)
Balance at December 31, 2009	2,205		220		3,768		30,760	491		(17,364)		(58)
Net earnings attributable to BMS	-		-		-		3,102	-		-		-
Cash dividends declared	-		-		-		(2,226)	-		-		-
Stock repurchase program	-		-		-		-	23		(587)		-
Employee stock compensation plans	-		-		(86)		-	(13)		497		-
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling
interest	-		-		-		-	-		-		2,091
Distributions	-		-		-		-	-		-		(2,108)
Balance at December 31, 2010	2,205		220		3,682		31,636	501		(17,454)		(75)
Net earnings attributable to BMS	-		-		-		3,709	-		-		-
Cash dividends declared	-		-		-		(2,276)	-		-		-
Stock repurchase program	-		-		-		-	42		(1,226)		-
Employee stock compensation plans	-		-		(568)		-	(28)		1,278		-
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling
interest	-		-		-		-	-		-		2,333
Other comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interest	-		-		-		-	-		-		7
Distributions	-		-		-		-	-		-		(2,354)
Balance at December 31, 2011	2,205		220	$	3,114	$	33,069	515	$	(17,402)	$	(89)

Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block]

	Foreign		Derivatives		Pension and Other		Available		Accumulated Other
	Currency		Qualifying as		Postretirement		for		Comprehensive
Dollars in Millions	Translation		Effective Hedges		Benefits		Sale Securities		Income/(Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	(424)	$	14	$	(2,258)	$	(51)	$	(2,719)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		81		(44)		100		41		178
Balance at December 31, 2009		(343)		(30)		(2,158)		(10)		(2,541)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		121		10		(5)		44		170
Balance at December 31, 2010		(222)		(20)		(2,163)		34		(2,371)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(16)		56		(742)		28		(674)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	(238)	$	36	$	(2,905)	$	62	$	(3,045)