Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,467,641	$ 1,312,351	$ 4,170,429	$ 3,638,576
Cost of products sold	988,825	821,086	2,738,715	2,222,681
Cost of products sold - restructuring	12,022	16,851	33,492	38,376
Cost of products sold - merger and integration	1,109	0	2,784	0
Gross Profit	465,685	474,414	1,395,438	1,377,519
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses	225,016	214,325	678,170	640,407
Amortization	22,031	18,515	62,825	55,513
Impairment charges	0	17,155	0	17,155
Other restructuring costs	13,549	8,414	33,802	34,863
Other merger and integration costs	5,873	2,746	17,429	8,175
Loss on sale of business	0	0	11,287	0
Other operating (income) expense - net	(1,150)	297	(758)	3,241
Operating Income	200,366	212,962	592,683	618,165
Interest income	464	779	1,090	1,784
Interest expense	(23,599)	(18,132)	(58,469)	(53,176)
Other income - net	4	170	1,958	487
Income Before Income Taxes	177,235	195,779	537,262	567,260
Income taxes	60,391	63,784	181,648	182,658
Net Income	$ 116,844	$ 131,995	$ 355,614	$ 384,602
Earnings per common share:
Net Income, in USD per share	$ 1.03	$ 1.12	$ 3.12	$ 3.23
Net Income - Assuming Dilution, in USD per share	$ 1.03	$ 1.11	$ 3.12	$ 3.23
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.48	$ 0.44	$ 1.44	$ 1.24