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Exhibit 4





                                 August 5, 1997



National Sanitary Supply Company
2900 Chemed Center
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Dear Sir or Madam:

     In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
National Sanitary Supply Company (the "Corporation") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission covering shares of the Corporation's common stock, par value
$1 per share (the "Common Stock"), to be issued pursuant to the Corporation's
1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), you have requested me as Secretary and
General Counsel to the Corporation to render my opinion with respect to the
matters to which reference is made herein.

     I have examined and am familiar with the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws of the Corporation, the minutes of the meetings of its directors and
stockholders, the Plan and the stock incentives to be granted pursuant thereto.

     Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock issued pursuant to stock incentives granted pursuant to and in accordance
with the terms of the Plan will, when issued in accordance with the terms of
said stock incentives, be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Corporation.

     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to said
Registration Statement.

                                                  Sincerely,


                                                  /s/ Naomi C. Dallob
                                                  Naomi C. Dallob
                                                  Secretary and General Counsel

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