SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                         Date of Report: March 22, 1999
                         ------------------------------
                        (Date of earliest event reported)

                             ACME UNITED CORPORATION
                             -----------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                   
                           
                           

          Connecticut                      0-4823                    06-0236700
          -----------                      ------                    ----------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                                Number)

             75 Kings Highway Cutoff
                   Fairfield, CT                                 06430
       ----------------------------------------                ----------
       (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)
              

        Registrant's telephone number including area code (203) 332-7330



Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On March 22, 1999, Registrant,  pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as
of March 9, 1999 between the Registrant and Medical Action  Industries,  Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Medical Action"),  disposed of certain assets relating to
the  medical  products  business  of the  Registrant.  Prior  to the sale of its
medical business, the Registrant nor its affiliates,  directors, or officers had
a material relationship with the acquiring company.

The sale  price  for the  assets  sold was  approximately  $8,182,000,  of which
$7,182,000  was  received  at or prior to the  closing,  with the  balance to be
received  over the three (3) month period  ending on or about June 15, 1999.  In
addition,  the Registrant received at closing Warrants to purchase 50,000 shares
of Medical Action's common stock at a purchase price of $2.84 per share.

The assets sold included  inventory,  factory and office equipment,  trademarks,
patents,  and a patent  application  used in the manufacture of the Registrant's
medical products,  including (i) kit and tray products, including suture removal
trays, I.V. start kits, and central line trays;  (ii) net,  padding,  wound care
and antiseptic products,  including Acu-Dyne(R),  an anti-microbial  solution of
povidone  iodine  prep swabs,  and a line of  proprietary  Tubegauze(R)  elastic
netting used in dressing retention;  and (iii) instrument packs, which include a
broad line of sterile  instruments,  such as  hemostats,  scalpels  and  forceps
(hereinafter the "Products").

The equipment sold by the Registrant for the manufacture of the Products will be
used by  Medical  Action  in its  facility  in  Arden,  North  Carolina  for the
manufacture of the Products.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(b)  Pro Forma Financial  Information.  In accordance  herewith,  the Registrant
     incorporates  by reference the  Company's  annual Form 10-K which was filed
     with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31,1999.

(c)  Exhibits.

(2)  Asset Purchase  Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999 between  Registrant and
     Medical Action Industries, Inc.



                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                            ACME UNITED CORPORATION

                            By: /s/ Ronald P. Davanzo
                            -----------------------------------
                                    Ronald P. Davanzo, Vice President
                                    and Chief Financial Officer
                                    (Principal Accounting Officer)


Dated: April 6, 1999



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     Between

                             ACME UNITED CORPORATION

                                       and

                         MEDICAL ACTION INDUSTRIES INC.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Dated as of March 9, 1999

<PAGE ii>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
                                    ARTICLE I
                         SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE ASSETS

1.1      Assets.......................................................... 2

                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE CLOSING

2.1      Place and Date ................................................. 4
2.2      Purchase Price ................................................. 4
2.3      Excluded Liabilities ........................................... 4
2.4      Consent of Third Parties ....................................... 5
2.5      Inventory Value ................................................ 6
2.6      Purchase Price Adjustment ...................................... 7

                                  ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1      Representations and Warranties of Acme ......................... 7
3.1.1.   Authorization, etc. ............................................ 7
3.1.2.   Corporate Status ............................................... 7
3.1.3.   No Conflicts, etc. ............................................. 7
3.1.4.   Financial Statements ........................................... 8
3.1.5.   Extent of Knowledge ............................................ 8
3.1.6.   Taxes .......................................................... 8
3.1.7.   Absence of Changes ....................................... ..... 9
3.1.8.   Litigation ..................................................... 11
3.1.9.   Compliance with Laws; Governmental Approvals and Consents;
         Governmental Contracts ......................................... 12
3.1.10.  Operation of the Business ...................................... 12
3.1.11.  Assets ......................................................... 12
3.1.12.  Contracts ...................................................... 12
3.1.13.  Territorial Restrictions ....................................... 14

                                      
<PAGE iii>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

3.1.14.  Inventories .................................................... 14
3.1.15.  Customers ...................................................... 14
3.1.16.  Supplies; Raw Materials ........................................ 15
3.1.17.  Product Warranties ............................................. 15
3.1.18.  Absence of Certain Business Practices .......................... 15
3.1.19.  Intellectual Property .......................................... 15
3.1.20.  Insurance ...................................................... 17
3.1.21.  Confidentiality ................................................ 18
3.1.22.  No Guaranties .................................................. 18
3.1.23.  Brokers, Finders, etc. ......................................... 18
3.1.24.  Disclosure ..................................................... 18
3.1.25.  Accounts Payable ............................................... 18
3.2.     Representations and Warranties of the Buyer .................... 19
3.2.1.   Corporate Status; Authorization, etc. .......................... 19
3.2.2.   No Conflicts, etc. ............................................. 19
3.2.3.   Litigation ..................................................... 19
3.2.4.   Brokers, Finders, etc. ......................................... 19
3.2.5.   Reporting Obligations of Buyer ................................. 20

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

4.1.     Covenants of Acme .............................................. 20
4.1.1.   Conduct of Business ............................................ 20
4.1.2.   Further Assurances ............................................. 21
4.1.3.   Liability for Transfer Taxes ................................... 21
4.1.4.   Certificates of Tax Authorities ................................ 21
4.1.5.   Use of Business Name ........................................... 21
4.1.6.   Financial Statements ........................................... 22
4.1.7.   Returns and Rebates ............................................ 22
4.1.8.   Transition ..................................................... 22

                                   
<PAGE iv>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

4.2.     Covenants of the Buyer ......................................... 23
4.2.1.   Further Actions ................................................ 23
4.2.2.   Further Assurances ............................................. 23
4.2.3.   Use of Business Name by the Buyer .............................. 23
4.2.4.   Investigation by Buyer ......................................... 24
4.2.5.   Employee Matters ............................................... 24

                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

5.1.     Conditions to Obligations of Each Party ........................ 24
5.1.1.   No Injunction, etc. ............................................ 24
5.2.     Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer ......................... 24
5.2.1.   Representations, Performance ................................... 24
5.2.2.   Consents ....................................................... 25
5.2.3.   No Material Adverse Effect ..................................... 25
5.2.4.   Collateral Agreements .......................................... 25
5.2.5.   Opinion of Counsel ............................................. 26
5.2.6.   Corporate Proceedings .......................................... 26
5.2.7.   Transfer Documents ............................................. 26
5.2.8.   Additional Conditions to Obligations of Buyer .................. 26
5.3.     Conditions to Obligations of Acme .............................. 27
5.3.1.   Representations, Performance, etc. ............................. 27
5.3.2.   Opinion of Counsel ............................................. 27
5.3.3.   Corporate Proceedings .......................................... 27
5.3.4.   Consents and Approvals ......................................... 28
5.3.5.   Collateral Agreements .......................................... 28


<PAGE v>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

6.1      Indemnification ............................................ ... 28
6.2      Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc. ............... 30
6.3      Expenses ....................................................... 31
6.4      Severability ................................................... 31
6.5      Notices ........................................................ 31
6.6      Miscellaneous .................................................. 32
6.6.1.   Headings ....................................................... 32
6.6.2.   Entire Agreement ............................................... 32
6.6.3.   Counterparts ................................................... 33
6.6.4.   Governing Law, etc. ............................................ 33
6.6.5.   Binding Effect ................................................. 33
6.6.6.   Assignment ..................................................... 33
6.6.7.   No Third Party Beneficiaries ................................... 33
6.6.8.   Amendment; Waivers, etc. ....................................... 34

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   TERMINATION

7.1      Termination .................................................... 34
7.2      Effect of Termination .......................................... 35


<PAGE vi>

                         SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1.1(a)          Machinery, Equipment, etc.
SCHEDULE 1.1(b)          Inventory
SCHEDULE 1.1(d)          Intellectual Property
SCHEDULE 2.6             Inventory Value
SCHEDULE 3.1.2(b)        Qualifications to do Business
SCHEDULE 3.1.3           Conflicts
SCHEDULE 3.1.6(a)        Contested Covered Taxes
SCHEDULE 3.1.6(b)        Tax Extensions
SCHEDULE 3.1.6(c)        Current Audits and Deficiencies
SCHEDULE 3.1.6(e)        Tax Litigation
SCHEDULE 3.1.7           Absence of Changes
SCHEDULE 3.1.8           Litigation
SCHEDULE 3.1.9(a)        Compliance with Laws
SCHEDULE 3.1.9(b)        Governmental Approvals and Other Consents
SCHEDULE 3.1.9(c)        Governmental Contracts
SCHEDULE 3.1.10          Operation of the Business
SCHEDULE 3.1.11          Asset Exceptions
SCHEDULE 3.1.12(a)       Contracts
SCHEDULE 3.1.12(c)       Defaults and Consents Under Contracts
SCHEDULE 3.1.14          Inventory Exceptions
SCHEDULE 3.1.15          Customers
SCHEDULE 3.1.16          Suppliers
SCHEDULE 3.1.17          Product Warranties
SCHEDULE 3.1.19(d)       Intellectual Property Licensing Arrangements
SCHEDULE 3.1.19(g)       Restrictions on Use of Name
SCHEDULE 3.1.20          Insurance
SCHEDULE 3.1.22          Confidentiality Exceptions
SCHEDULE 3.1.24          Brokers, Finders, etc.
SCHEDULE 3.2.2           Governmental Approvals and Other Consents


<PAGE vii>

                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A                Form of Warrant Certificate
EXHIBIT B                List of Employees with Knowledge
EXHIBIT C                Form of Trademark License Agreement
EXHIBIT D                Form of Non-Competition Agreement


<PAGE 1>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS ASSET PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  (hereinafter the "Agreement") is made,  executed
and  entered  into on this  9th day of  March,  1999 by and  between  ACMEUNITED
CORPORATION,  a Connecticut  corporation  (hereinafter "Acme") and MEDICALACTION
INDUSTRIES  INC.,  a  Delaware  corporation  (hereinafter  "Medical  Action"  or
"Buyer").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS,  Acme is engaged in the business of manufacturing and marketing sterile
procedure kits and trays,  instrument  packs,  net and padding  products for the
hospital and alternate care markets,  and non-sterile  metal disposable  medical
scissors and instruments (the  "Products")  through an  unincorporated  division
(hereinafter the "Division") of Acme; and

WHEREAS,  the Buyer  wishes to purchase or acquire  from Acme and Acme wishes to
sell,  assign and  transfer  to the Buyer,  substantially  all of the assets and
properties held in connection  with,  necessary for, or material to the business
and  operations  of the Division (the  "Business"),  and the Buyer has agreed to
assume  certain  liabilities,  all for the purchase price and upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS,  concurrently  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,  Acme
and Medical Action will enter into an agreement  providing for the transition of
the Business,  including the supply of certain of the Products and raw materials
for a specified period after closing;

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants,  representations and
warranties made herein,  and of the mutual  benefits to be derived  hereby,  the
parties hereto agree as follows:

<PAGE 2>

                                    ARTICLE I
                         SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE ASSETS

     1.1 Assets.  Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, at the closing, Acme will sell, transfer,  convey, assign and deliver
to the Buyer and the Buyer will  purchase or acquire from Acme all right,  title
and interest of Acme in and to the properties,  assets and rights relating to or
used in  connection  with the Business as the same may exist on the closing date
(hereinafter, the "Assets") set forth below:

     (a) all machinery,  equipment,  furniture,  furnishings, tools, dies, molds
     and parts and  similar  property,  all as more  specifically  described  in
     Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto;

     (b) all inventories of raw materials,  work in process,  finished products,
     goods,  spare parts,  replacement and component parts, and office and other
     supplies (collectively,  the "Inventories"),  including Inventories held at
     any location controlled by Acme and Inventories previously purchased and in
     transit to Acme at such locations,  all as more  specifically  described in
     Schedule 1.1(b) attached hereto which shall be provided at closing;

     (c) all rights in and to  Products  sold  (including,  but not  limited to,
     Products  hereafter  returned or  repossessed  and unpaid  Acme's rights of
     rescission, replevin, reclamation and rights to stoppage in transit);

     (d) all rights in and to United States and foreign:  (a) patents (including
     design patents and industrial designs) and patent  applications  (including
     docketed  patent   disclosures   awaiting  filing,   reissues,   divisions,
     continuations-in-part  and extensions),  patent disclosures awaiting filing
     determination, inventions and improvements thereto; (b) trademarks, service
     marks,  trade names,  and product names;  (c) copyrights and  registrations
     thereof but excluding the name "Acme",  which shall be separately  licensed
     to the Buyer; (d) inventions,  processes, designs, formulae, trade secrets,
     know-how,   confidential   and   technical   information,    manufacturing,
     engineering and technical drawings, product specifications and confidential
     business information (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Intellectual
     Property"),  all as more specifically described in Schedule 1.1(d) attached
     hereto;

<PAGE 3>

     (e) all of the rights of Acme under all contracts, arrangements,  licenses,
     leases and other agreements,  including,  without limitation,  any right to
     receive  payment for  Products  sold or services  rendered,  and to receive
     goods and services,  pursuant to such  agreements  and to assert claims and
     take other  rightful  actions in respect of breaches,  defaults,  and other
     violations  of such  contracts,  arrangements,  licenses,  leases and other
     agreements and otherwise in connection with the Business being acquired;

     (f) all  Intellectual  Property  and all  rights  thereunder  or in respect
     thereof  relating  to or used  or  held  for  use in  connection  with  the
     Business,  including,  but not limited to,  rights to sue for and  remedies
     against  past,  present  and future  infringements  thereof,  and rights of
     priority  and  protection  of  interests  therein  under  the  laws  of any
     jurisdiction  worldwide and all tangible embodiments thereof (together with
     all  Intellectual  Property  rights  included in the other  clauses of this
     Section 1.1, the "Intellectual Property Assets");

     (g) all  books,  records,  manuals  and  other  materials  (in any  form or
     medium),  including,  without limitation,  advertising matter,  catalogues,
     price  lists,   correspondence,   mailing   lists,   lists  of   customers,
     distribution  lists,  photographs,  production  data, sales and promotional
     materials and records, purchasing materials and records,  manufacturing and
     quality  control records and  procedures,  research and development  files,
     records,  data and laboratory  books,  Intellectual  Property  disclosures,
     media  materials  and plates,  sales  order files and copies of  litigation
     files;

     (h) to the extent  their  transfer is permitted by law, all consents of any
     government,  any state or other political  subdivision  thereof, any entity
     exercising executive,  legislative,  judicial, regulatory or administrative
     functions of or pertaining to government,  including,  without  limitation,
     any  government  authority,   agency,  department,   board,  commission  or
     instrumentality of the United States or any political  subdivision thereof,
     and any  tribunal  or  arbitrator(s)  of  competent  jurisdiction,  and any
     self-regulatory organization, including all applications therefor;

     (i) all guarantees,  warranties, indemnities and similar rights in favor of
     Acme with respect to any Asset.

<PAGE 4>

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE CLOSING

     2.1 Place and Date.  The closing of the sale and purchase of the Assets(the
"Closing")  shall take place at 10:00 A.M.  local time on the 15th day of March,
1999 at the offices of Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC, 280 Park Avenue, New York,
New York  10017,  or such other time and place upon which the parties may agree.
The day on which the Closing actually occurs is herein sometimes  referred to as
the "Closing Date".

     2.2  Purchase  Price.  (a) On the terms and subject to the  conditions  set
forth in this  Agreement,  Medical  Action  agrees to pay or cause to be paid to
Acme an  aggregate  of U.S.  $7,750,000.00  as  adjusted  in  Section  2.7  (the
"Purchase  Price") and to assume or cause to assume  liabilities  as provided in
Section 2.3. The Purchase price shall be payable by wire transfer in immediately
available funds to such bank account or accounts as per written  instructions of
Acme, given to Medical Action at least five days prior to the payment thereof as
follows:

          (i) At Closing,  $6,750,000.00 or such greater amount, as set forth in
          Section 2.7; and
          (ii)  $1,000,000.00 in accordance with the Transition Letter Agreement
          provided for in Section 4.1.8.

     (b) Warrant  Certificate.  On the Closing Date,  Medical  Action will grant
Acme a ten year  warrant  certificate  (the  "Warrants")  to purchase  shares of
Medical Action's common stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"), exercisable
at a price equal to the average  closing  price as reported on the NASDAQ  stock
market for the ten (10)  business  day period  immediately  prior to the Closing
Date. The form of such warrant certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit "A".

     2.3 Excluded  Liabilities.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, the Buyer
shall not assume any liabilities, obligations or commitments of Acme relating to
or arising out of or incurred in connection with the  transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement,  the operation of the Business or the ownership of the Assets
prior to the Closing (the "Excluded Liabilities"), including but not limited to:

          (a) any liabilities or obligations of Acme incurred in connection with
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to attorneys,  accountants,
     brokers,  or others for services  rendered or expenses  incurred,  by or on
     behalf of Acme,  and all  other  expenses  associated  with the sale of the
     Business;

<PAGE 5>

          (b) any wages, salary, bonuses, commissions,  vacation or holiday pay,
     retiree  benefits,  severance pay, or other amounts due to any employees or
     former  employees  of Acme,  and any  duties,  obligations  or  liabilities
     arising  under any  employee  benefit  plan,  policy or  practice,  whether
     defined by Section 3(3) of the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
     1974, as amended, or otherwise, relating to the employees of Acme;

          (c) any tax  (including,  without  limitation,  any federal,  state or
     local income, franchise, sales, transfer,  recording,  documentary or other
     tax) imposed upon or incurred by Acme arising out of or in connection  with
     the negotiation  and preparation of this Agreement and the  consummation of
     and performance of the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (d) any  liabilities,  losses and  damages  and  alleged  liabilities,
     losses and damages arising out of or resulting  from: (i) personal  injury,
     sickness,  death,  property damage,  property destruction or loss of use of
     property,  or any violation of federal,  state or local laws or regulations
     relating to the protection of the environment  which, in either case is the
     result,  in whole or in part, of any  environmental  impairment,  condition
     existing,  or action taken or omitted by Acme, prior to the Closing Date in
     respect of the Business and which is not attributable to Buyer's ownership,
     operation  or use of the  Business  after the  Closing  Date,  and (ii) any
     accident or occurrence  occurring on or prior to the Closing Date resulting
     in personal injury, sickness,  death, property damage, property destruction
     or loss of use of property  or arising  out of the sale of any  products of
     the Business by Acme prior to the Closing Date;

          (e) any warranty and product liabilities and obligations of Acme which
     exist on the Closing  Date  arising out of the sale of the  products of the
     Business made prior to the Closing Date; and

          (f) any liabilities for trade accounts payable.

     2.4 Consent of Third Parties.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in
this  Agreement,  this Agreement  shall not constitute an agreement to assign or
transfer any consent, instrument,  contract, lease, permit or other agreement or
arrangement  or any claim,  right or benefit  arising  thereunder  or  resulting
therefrom if an  assignment or transfer or an attempt to make such an assignment
or transfer  without the consent of a third party would  constitute  a breach or
violation thereof or affect adversely the rights of the Buyer or Acme

<PAGE 6>

thereunder;  and any transfer or assignment to the Buyer by Acme of any interest
under  any such  instrument,  contract,  lease,  permit  or other  agreement  or
arrangement  that requires the consent of a third party shall be made subject to
such  consent  or  approval  being  obtained.  In the event any such  consent or
approval is not obtained on or prior to the Closing Date, Acme shall continue to
use its best  efforts to obtain any such  approval or consent  after the Closing
Date until such time as such  consent or approval  has been  obtained,  and Acme
will  cooperate  with  the  Buyer  in  any  lawful  and  economically   feasible
arrangement to provide that the Buyer shall receive the interest of Acme, as the
case may be, in the  benefits  under  any such  instrument,  contract,  lease or
permit or other agreement or arrangement,  including performance by Acme, as the
case may be, as agent, if economically  feasible,  provided that the Buyer shall
undertake to pay or satisfy the  corresponding  liabilities for the enjoyment of
such  benefit to the extent the Buyer would have been  responsible  thereforhere
under if such consent or approval had been obtained.  Nothing in this Section2.4
shall be deemed a waiver by the Buyer of its right to receive at the  Closing an
effective  assignment of all of the Assets, to the extent they are assignable by
Acme, nor shall this Section 2.4 be deemed to constitute an agreement to exclude
from the Assets any assets described under Section 1.1.

     2.5 Inventory Value. (a) Within five (5) days prior to Closing, Acme
shall  undertake a physical  count of the Inventory  being  transferred to Buyer
hereunder.  Acme shall give Buyer at least 72 hours  notice of the time and date
on which it plans to commence such physical  count and Buyer will have the right
to be present if it so elects.  Acme shall  determine the value of the Inventory
in  accordance  with the  criteria  set forth in Schedule  2.5. The value of the
Inventory  shall be adjusted on the Closing Date to  eliminate  the value of any
Inventory  sold and  shipped,  and to add the value of any  Inventory  purchased
between  the  date of the  physical  count  of the  Inventory  and  the  Closing
Date("Adjusted Inventory").

          (b) Acme shall prepare for  shipping,  arrange to have shipped by such
     carrier as Buyer shall  designate,  at Buyer's  cost,  and have loaded onto
     such  carrier's  truck for shipment to Buyer,  all of the  Inventory.  Acme
     shall count the Inventory  prior to shipment to Buyer.  Acme shall obtain a
     receipt from the carrier  shipping such Inventory for the quantities of the
     Inventory  counted by Acme and shall promptly provide a copy to Buyer. Acme
     shall take reasonable  precautions to ensure that the Inventory will not be
     damaged prior to shipment.  All of the Inventory shall be delivered  F.O.B.
     Acme's plant.  Title to the  Inventory  will pass to Buyer at the time such
     Inventory is delivered F.O.B. at Acme's plant for shipment to Buyer.

<PAGE 7>

     2.6 Purchase Price Adjustment.  In the event that the value of the Adjusted
Inventory is greater than $1,722,000,  the Purchase Price shall be increased, on
a dollar for dollar basis, for the increase in the Adjusted Inventory.

                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     3.1 Representations and Warranties of Acme. Acme represents and warrants to
the Buyer as follows:

          3.1.1. Authorization,  etc. Acme has the corporate power and authority
to execute and deliver  this  Agreement  and each of the  collateral  agreements
described herein (the  "Collateral  Agreements") to which it will be a party, to
perform fully its  obligations  thereunder,  and to consummate the  transactions
contemplated  thereby.  This Agreement and each of the Collateral  Agreements to
which Acme is a party will be, on the  Closing  Date,  legal,  valid and binding
obligations of Acme,  enforceable against it in accordance with their respective
terms.

          3.1.2.  Corporate  Status.  (a) Acme is a corporation  duly organized,
validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of
Connecticut,   with  full  corporate   power  and  authority  to  carry  on  its
business(including  its  portion  of the  Business)  and to own or lease  and to
operate its properties as and in the places where such business is conducted and
such properties are owned, leased or operated.

         (b) Acme is duly  qualified  or licensed to do business  and is in good
standing in each of the  jurisdictions  specified  opposite its name in Schedule
3.1.2(b), which are the only jurisdictions in which the operation of its portion
of the Business or the character of the properties owned,  leased or operated by
it in  connection  with the  Business  makes  such  qualification  or  licensing
necessary.

         (c) Acme has delivered to the Buyer  complete and correct copies of its
certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational  documents,  in
each case, as amended and in effect on the date hereof. Acme is not in violation
of any of the provisions of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
organizational documents.

<PAGE 8>

          3.1.3. No Conflicts,  etc. The execution,  delivery and performance by
Acme of this  Agreement and each of the  Collateral  Agreements to which it is a
party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, do not and
will not  conflict  with or result in a  violation  or a default  under (with or
without  the  giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) (i) any  applicable
law or any of the properties or assets of Acme (including but not limited to the
Assets),   (ii)  the   certificate   of   incorporation   or  by-laws  or  other
organizational  documents  of Acme or (iii)  except  as set  forth  in  Schedule
3.1.3,any contract, agreement or other instrument to which Acme is a party or by
which its properties or assets,  including but not limited to the Assets, may be
bound or  affected.  Except as  specified  in Schedule  3.1.3,  no  governmental
approval  or  other  consent  is  required  to be  obtained  or  made by Acme in
connection  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Collateral
Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

          3.1.4.  Financial  Statements.  Acme has (or by the Closing  Date will
have) delivered to the Buyer (a) the following audited  financial  statements of
the Business as at and for the period ended December 31, 1998 (i) net sales, and
direct deductions therefrom,  including sales discounts and allowances,  freight
and returns;  (ii) total cost of sales,  including an allocation of warehousing,
shipping,  utilities,  insurance,  quality control and employee costs; The plant
costs will be allocated  between the Business and the  remaining  operations  of
Acme; (iii) selling and administrative  expenses directly  identifiable with the
Business;   (iv)   Allocated   corporate   general   administrative    expenses;
(v)statements  of  Assets to be  acquired  by the Buyer at  December  31,  1998;
(vi)footnotes  to these statements  indicating the basis of  presentation;  (the
"Audited Financial  Statements"),  and (b) unaudited financial statements of the
Business  as at and for the  period  ended  December  31,  1997 (the  "Unaudited
Financial  Statements"),   (the  Audited  Financial  Statements,  the  Unaudited
Financial  Statements  and,  from and after  the date of  delivery  thereof  the
Subsequent   Monthly   Financial   Statements,   collectively   the   "Financial
Statements").  The Audited Financial  Statements are complete and correct in all
material respects.  The Financial  Statements do not include any material assets
or  liabilities  not intended to constitute a part of the Business or the Assets
after giving effect to the transactions  contemplated hereby, and present fairly
the financial condition of the Business as at their respective dates.

          3.1.5 Extent of Knowledge. For purposes of this Agreement, to the best
of its knowledge after due inquiry shall be limited in scope to the knowledge of
the employees set forth on Exhibit "B" hereto.

          3.1.6.  Taxes.  (a) Acme has duly and  timely  filed  all tax  returns
relating to the Business with respect to taxes ("Covered  Taxes") required to be
filed on or before the  Closing  Date  ("Covered  Returns").  Except for Covered
Taxes set forth on Schedule  3.1.6(a),  which are being  contested in good faith
and by appropriate proceedings, the following Covered Taxes, to the best of its

<PAGE 9>

knowledge  after due inquiry,  have been duly and timely  paid:  (i) all Covered
Taxes  shown  to be  due on the  covered  Returns,  (ii)  all  deficiencies  and
assessments  of Covered Taxes of which notice has been received by Acme that are
or may become  payable by the Buyer or  chargeable  as a lien upon the Business,
and (iii) all other  Covered Taxes due and payable on or before the Closing Date
for which  neither  filing of  Covered  Returns  nor  notice  of  deficiency  or
assessment is required of Acme,  or  reasonably  should be aware that are or may
become payable by the Buyer or chargeable as a lien upon the Business. All taxes
required to be withheld by or on behalf of Acme in connection  with amounts paid
or owing to any employee,  independent contractor,  creditor or other party with
respect to the  Business  ("Withholding  Taxes")  have been  withheld,  and such
withheld  taxes have  either  been duly and timely paid or set aside in accounts
for such purpose.

     (b)  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  3.1.6(b),  no  agreement  or other
document extending, or having the effect of extending,  the period of assessment
or  collection  of any  Covered  Taxes  or  Withholding  Taxes,  and no power of
attorney  with  respect to any such  taxes,  has been  filed  with the  Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") or any other governmental authority.

     (c)  Except as set forth on  Schedule  3.1.6(c),  (i) there are no  Covered
Taxes or Withholding Taxes asserted in writing by any governmental  authority to
be due and  (ii) no  issue  has  been  raised  in  writing  by any  governmental
authority  in the  course  of  any  audit  with  respect  to  Covered  Taxes  or
Withholding Taxes.  Except as set forth on Schedule  3.1.6(c),  no Covered Taxes
and  no  Withholding  Taxes  are  currently  under  audit  by  any  governmental
authority.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  3.1.6(c),  neither the IRS nor any
other governmental authority is now asserting or, to the best knowledge of Acme,
threatening  to assert  against  Acme any  deficiency  or claim  for  additional
Covered  Taxes or any  adjustment  of Covered  Taxes that would,  if paid by the
Buyer, have a material adverse effect,  and there is no reasonable basis for any
such assertion of which Acme is or reasonably should be aware.

     (d) The Buyer  will not be  required  to deduct  and  withhold  any  amount
pursuant to Section 1445(a) of the Code upon the transfer of the Business to the
Buyer.

     (e) Except as set forth on Schedule  3.1.6(e),  there is no  litigation  or
administrative  appeal  pending or, to the best  knowledge  of Acme,  threatened
against or relating to Acme in connection with Covered Taxes. 3.1.7.  Absence of
Changes.  Except as set forth in Schedule  3.1.7,since December 31, 1998, to the
best of its knowledge after due inquiry, Acme has

<PAGE 10>

conducted  the  Business  only in the  ordinary  course  consistent  with  prior
practice  and has not,  on behalf  of, in  connection  with or  relating  to the
Business or the Assets:

               (a) suffered any material adverse effect;

               (b) incurred any  obligation  or  liability,  absolute,  accrued,
          contingent or otherwise,  whether due or to become due, except current
          liabilities for trade or business  obligations  incurred in connection
          with the  purchase  of goods or  services  in the  ordinary  course of
          business consistent with prior practice, none of which liabilities, in
          any case or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect;

               (c)  discharged  or  satisfied  any lien  other  than  those then
          required to be  discharged  or  satisfied,  or paid any  obligation or
          liability,  absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether due or
          to become due,  other than  current  liabilities  shown on the Audited
          Balance Sheet and current liabilities  incurred since the date thereof
          in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice;

               (d)  mortgaged,  pledged  or  subjected  to lien,  any  property,
          business or assets,  tangible or intangible,  held in connection  with
          the Business;

               (e) sold, transferred,  leased to others or otherwise disposed of
          any of the Assets, except for inventory sold in the ordinary course of
          business,  or cancelled or compromised any debt or claim, or waived or
          released by right of substantial value;

               (f) received any notice of termination of any contract,  lease or
          other  agreement or suffered any damage,  destruction or loss (whether
          or not covered by insurance);

               (g)  transferred or granted any rights under, or entered into any
          settlement  regarding the breach or infringement  of, any Intellectual
          Property, or modified any existing rights with respect thereto;

               (h)  encountered  any labor union  organizing  activity,  had any
          actual or threatened  employee strikes,  work stoppages,  slowdowns or
          lockouts,  or had  any  material  change  in its  relations  with  its
          customers or suppliers;

<PAGE 11>

               (i) failed to replenish the Division's  inventories  and supplies
          in a normal and customary  manner  consistent  with its prior practice
          and prudent business practices prevailing in the industry, or made any
          purchase  commitment  in  excess  of the  normal,  ordinary  and usual
          requirements  of its  business  or at any  price in excess of the then
          current  market price or upon terms and  conditions  more onerous than
          those usual and customary in the  industry,  or made any change in its
          selling, pricing, advertising or personnel practices inconsistent with
          its prior practice and prudent  business  practices  prevailing in the
          industry;

               (j)  made  any  capital  expenditures  or  capital  additions  or
          improvements in excess of an aggregate of $50,000.00;

               (k)  instituted,  settled  or agreed to  settle  any  litigation,
          action or proceeding before any court or governmental body relating to
          the  Business  or the  Assets  other  than in the  ordinary  course of
          business  consistent with past practices but not in any case involving
          amounts in excess of $25,000.00;

               (l) entered into any  transaction,  contract or commitment  other
          than in the  ordinary  course of business or paid or agreed to pay any
          legal, accounting, brokerage, finder's fee, taxes or other expenses in
          connection  with, or incurred any severance pay  obligations by reason
          of, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; or

               (m) taken any action or  omitted  to take any  action  that would
          result in the occurrence of any of the foregoing.

          3.1.8. Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1.8, to the best
of its knowledge after due inquiry,  there is no action,  claim,  demand,  suit,
proceeding,  arbitration,  grievance,  citation,  summons,  subpoena, inquiry or
investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, regulatory or otherwise, in law or
in equity,  pending or threatened against or relating to Acme in connection with
the  Assets  or  the  Business  or  against  or  relating  to  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  and Acme  does not know or have  reason to be
aware of any basis for the same.  Except as set forth in such Schedule 3.1.8, no
citations, fines or penalties have been asserted against any Seller with respect
to the Division since January 1, 1996, under any environmental  law, by the Food
and Drug Administration, or any foreign, federal, state or local law relating to
occupational health or safety.

<PAGE 12>

          3.1.9.  Compliance  with Laws;  Governmental  Approvals  and Consents;
Governmental  Contracts.  (a) Except as  disclosed in Schedule  3.1.9(a),  since
January  1,  1996,  to the best of its  knowledge  after due  inquiry,  Acme has
complied in all material  respects with all  applicable  laws  applicable to the
Business  or the  Assets,  and has not  received  any notice  alleging  any such
conflict, violation, breach or default.

          (b) Schedule 3.1.9(b) sets forth all governmental  approvals and other
consents  necessary for, or otherwise  material to, the conduct of the Business.
Except as set forth in Schedule  3.1.9(b),  all such governmental  approvals and
consents have been duly  obtained and are in full force and effect,  and Acme is
in full compliance with each of such governmental approvals and consents held by
it with respect to the Assets and the Business.

          (c) Schedule  3.1.9(c) sets forth all contracts with any  governmental
authority.

          (d) To the best of its  knowledge  after  due  inquiry,  there  are no
proposed laws,  rules,  regulations,  ordinances,  orders,  judgments,  decrees,
governmental  takings,   condemnations  or  other  proceedings  which  would  be
applicable to the  business,  operations or properties of the Division and which
might  adversely  affect the  properties,  assets,  liabilities,  operations  or
prospects of the Division, after the Closing Date.

          3.1.10.  Operation  of the  Business.  Except as set forth in Schedule
3.1.10,  (a) Acme has  conducted  the Business only through Acme and not through
any other  divisions or any direct or indirect  subsidiary  or affiliate of Acme
and (b) no part of the  Business is operated  by Acme  through any entity  other
than Acme.

          3.1.11.  Assets. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1.11, Acme has good
title to all the  Assets  free and clear of any and all  liens.  Except  for the
Inventory,  the Assets are being  transferred  in "as is" condition  and, to the
knowledge of Acme,  there are no facts or conditions  affecting the Assets which
could, individually or in the aggregate,  interfere in any material respect with
the use, occupancy or operation thereof as currently used, occupied or operated,
or their adequacy for such use.

          3.1.12. Contracts. (a) To the best of its knowledge after due inquiry,
Schedule 3.1.12 (a) contains, except with respect to open purchase orders, which
shall be provided at Closing,  a complete  and correct  list of all  agreements,
contracts, commitments and other instruments and arrangements(whether written or
oral) of the types  described  below (x) by which any of the assets are bound or
affected  or (y) to which Acme is a party or by which it is bound in  connection
with the Business or the Assets (the "Contracts").

<PAGE 13>

          (i) licenses,  licensing arrangements and other contracts providing in
     whole or in part for the use of, or limiting  the use of, any  Intellectual
     Property;

          (ii) brokerage or finder's agreements;

          (iii) joint venture,  partnership  and similar  contracts  involving a
     sharing of profits or expenses (including but not limited to joint research
     and development and joint marketing contracts);

          (iv) asset purchase  agreements  and other  acquisition or divestiture
     agreements,  including  but not limited to any  agreements  relating to the
     sale, lease or disposal of any Assets (other than sales of inventory in the
     ordinary  course of business) or  involving  continuing  indemnity or other
     obligations;

          (v) orders and other  contracts for the purchase or sale of materials,
     supplies,  products or services,  each of which involves aggregate payments
     in excess of  $20,000.00  in the case of purchases or $5,000.00 in the case
     of sales;

          (vi)  sales  agency,  manufacturer's   representative,   marketing  or
     distributorship agreements;

          (vii)  contracts,  agreements  or  arrangements  with  respect  to the
     representation of the Business in foreign countries;

          (viii)  any  other  contracts,  agreements  or  commitments  that  are
     material to the Business.

          (b) Acme has delivered to the Buyer complete and correct copies of all
written  Contracts,   together  with  all  amendments   thereto,   and  accurate
descriptions of all material terms of all oral Contracts,  set forth or required
to be set forth in Schedule 3.1.12(a).

          (c) All Contracts are in full force and effect and enforceable against
each party thereto. There does not exist under any Contract any event of default
or  event or  condition  that,  after  notice  or  lapse of time or both,  would
constitute a  violation,  breach or event of default  thereunder  on the part of
Acme or, to the best knowledge of Acme, any other party thereto except as set

<PAGE 14>

forth in  Schedule  3.1.12(c)  and except for such  events or  conditions  that,
individually and in the aggregate,  (i) has not had or resulted in, and will not
have or  result  in, a  material  adverse  effect  and (ii) has not and will not
materially  impair the  ability of Acme to perform  its  obligations  under this
Agreement  and  under  the  Collateral  Agreements.   Except  as  set  forth  in
Schedule3.1.12(c),  no consent of any third party is required under any Contract
as a result of or in connection  with,  and the  enforceability  of any Contract
will not be affected in any manner by, the execution,  delivery and  performance
of his Agreement,  any of the Collateral  Agreements or the  consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby.

          (d)  There  is no  outstanding  power  of  attorney  relating  to  the
Business.

          3.1.13.  Territorial  Restrictions.  Except to the  extent  limited by
Acme's agreement with Hogy Medical Co., Ltd. dated as of August 8, 1996, Acme is
not restricted by any written  agreement or understanding  with any other person
from  carrying on the  Business  anywhere in the world.  The Buyer,  solely as a
result of its  purchase  of the  Business  from  Acme  pursuant  hereto  and the
assumption of the Assumed  Liabilities,  will not thereby  become  restricted in
carrying on any business anywhere in the world.

          3.1.14.   Inventories.   All  Inventories  are  of  good,  usable  and
merchantable  quality  in all  material  respects  and,  except  as set forth on
Schedule 3.1.14,  (a) all Inventories are of such quality as to meet the quality
control  standards  of Acme  and any  applicable  governmental  quality  control
standards,  (b) all Inventories  that are finished goods are saleable as current
inventories at the current  prices  thereof in the ordinary  course of business,
and (c) all  Inventories  are recorded on the books of the Business at the lower
of cost or market value determined in accordance with GAAP. Schedule 3.1.14lists
the locations of all Inventories.

          3.1.15.  Customers.  To the best of its  knowledge  after due inquiry,
Schedule  3.1.15 sets forth (a) the names and  addresses of the ten (10) largest
customers (ranked by sales dollars) of Acme that ordered goods and services from
Acme during the twelve month  period ended  December 31, 1998 and (b) the amount
for which each such  customer  was invoiced  during such  period.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.1.15,  Acme has not received any notice or has any reason to
believe that any significant  customer (i) has ceased, or will cease, to use the
products,  goods or services of the Division,  (ii) has substantially reduced or
will  substantially  reduce,  the use of  products,  goods  or  services  of the
Division or (iii) has sought, or is seeking, to reduce the price it will pay for
products,  goods or services of the  Division,  including in each case after the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

<PAGE 15>

          3.1.16.  Suppliers;  Raw Materials. To the best of its knowledge after
due inquiry,  Schedule  3.1.16 sets forth (a) the names and  addresses of Acme's
ten (10) largest suppliers (and any affiliate  thereof) (ranked by dollars) from
which the Division ordered raw materials,  supplies, merchandise and other goods
and services  during the twelve month period ended December  31,1998 and (b) the
amount for which each such  supplier  invoiced the Division  during such period.
Acme has not  received  any notice or has any  reason to believe  that there has
been any material  adverse change in the price of such raw materials,  supplies,
merchandise or other goods or services,  or that any such supplier will not sell
raw materials,  supplies,  merchandise  and other goods to the Buyer at any time
after the  Closing  Date on terms and  conditions  similar  to those used in its
current sales to the Division, subject to general and customary price increases.

          3.1.17.  Product  Warranties.  To the best of its knowledge  after due
inquiry,  except  as set  forth in  Schedule  3.1.17  and for  warranties  under
applicable  law,  (a) there are no  warranties,  express or implied,  written or
oral,  with respect to the products of the Business and (b) there are no pending
or  threatened  claims  with  respect  to any such  warranty,  whether  known or
unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become
due.

          3.1.18.  Absence of  Certain  Business  Practices.  To the best of its
knowledge  after due inquiry,  neither Acme,  any officer,  employee or agent of
Acme, or any other person acting on their behalf,  has,  directly or indirectly,
within the past five years  given or agreed to give any gift or similar  benefit
to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other person who is or maybe
in a position to help or hinder the Business (or assist Acme in connection  with
any actual or proposed transaction relating to the Business) (i) which subjected
or might have subjected Acme to any damage or penalty in any civil,  criminal or
governmental  litigation  or  proceeding,  (ii)  which if not given in the past,
might have had a material  adverse  effect,  (iii) which if not continued in the
future,  might have a material adverse effect or subject Acme to suit or penalty
in any private or  governmental  litigation or  proceeding,  (iv) for any of the
purposes  described  in  Section  162(c) of the Code or (v) for the  purpose  of
establishing or maintaining any concealed fund or concealed bank account.

          3.1.19. Intellectual Property. (a) Title. Schedule 1.1(d) contains, to
the best of its knowledge after due inquiry,  a complete and correct list of all
Intellectual  Property that is owned by Acme and primarily  related to, used in,
held for use in connection with, or necessary for the conduct of, or otherwise

<PAGE 16>

material to the  Business  (the "Owned  Intellectual  Property")  other than (i)
inventions,  trade  secrets,  processes,  formulas,  compositions,  designs  and
confidential  business and technical  information and (ii) Intellectual Property
that is both not registered or subject to application for  registration  and not
material to the Business.  Acme owns or has the exclusive  right to use pursuant
to license,  sublicense,  agreement  or  permission  all  Intellectual  Property
Assets,  free from any liens and free from any requirement of any past,  present
or  future  royalty  payments,  license  fees,  charges  or other  payments,  or
conditions or restrictions whatsoever. The Intellectual Property Assets comprise
all of the Intellectual  Property necessary for the Buyer to conduct and operate
the Business as now being conducted by Acme.

          (b) Transfer. Immediately after the Closing, the Buyer will own all of
the  Owned  Intellectual  Property  and  will  have a  right  to use  all  other
Intellectual  Property  Assets,  free from any  liens and on the same  terms and
conditions as in effect prior to the Closing.

          (c) No Infringement.  The conduct of the Business does not infringe or
otherwise  conflict with any rights of any person in respect of any Intellectual
Property.  To the knowledge of Acme after due inquiry,  none of the Intellectual
Property  Assets is being  infringed or otherwise  used or available for use, by
any other person.

          (d)  Licensing   Arrangements.   Schedule  3.1.19(d)  sets  forth  all
agreements,  arrangements  or laws  (i)  pursuant  to which  Acme  has  licensed
Intellectual  Property Assets to, or the use of Intellectual  Property Assets is
otherwise permitted (through non-assertion,  settlement or similar agreements or
otherwise)  by,  any  other  person  and (ii)  pursuant  to  which  Acme has had
Intellectual  Property  licensed to it, or has otherwise  been  permitted to use
Intellectual Property (through  non-assertion,  settlement or similar agreements
or   otherwise).   All  of  the   agreements  or   arrangements   set  forth  on
Schedule3.1.19(d)  (x) are in full  force and  effect in  accordance  with their
terms and no default  exists  thereunder  by Acme,  or to the  knowledge of Acme
after due  inquiry,  by any other party  thereto,  (y) are free and clear of all
liens,  and(z) do not contain any change in control or other terms or conditions
that will become  applicable or inapplicable as a result of the  consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Acme has delivered to the Buyer
true  and  complete   copies  of  all  licenses  and   arrangements   (including
amendments)set forth on Schedule 3.1.19(d). All royalties, license fees, charges
and other  amounts  payable by, on behalf of, to, or for the account of, Acme in
respect of any Intellectual Property are disclosed in the Financial Statements.

<PAGE 17>

          (e) No  Intellectual  Property  Litigation.  No claim or demand of any
person  has been made nor is there any  proceeding  that is  pending,  or to the
knowledge of Acme after due inquiry, threatened, nor is there a reasonable basis
therefore,   which  (i)  challenges  the  rights  of  Acme  in  respect  of  any
Intellectual  Property Assets, (ii) asserts that Acme is infringing or otherwise
in conflict with, or is, except as set forth in Schedule 3.1.19(d),  required to
pay any  royalty,  license  fee,  charge or other  amount  with  regard  to, any
Intellectual  Property,  or (iii)  claims  that any  default  exists  under  any
agreement or arrangement listed on Schedule 3.1.19(d).  None of the Intellectual
Property Assets is subject to any outstanding order, ruling, decree, judgment or
stipulation by or with any court, arbitrator,  or administrative agency, nor has
been the subject of any  litigation  within the last five years,  whether or not
resolved in favor of Acme.

          (f) Due Registration,  Etc. The Owned  Intellectual  Property has been
duly  registered  with,  filed in or issued  by, as the case may be,  the United
States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office or such other
filing offices,  domestic or foreign,  and Acme has taken such other actions, to
ensure  full  protection  under any  applicable  laws or  regulations,  and such
registrations,  filings,  issuances and other  actions  remain in full force and
effect, in each case to the extent material to the Business.

          (g) Use of Name and Mark.  Except  as set forth in  Schedule3.1.19(g),
there are, and immediately after the Closing will be, no contractual restriction
or limitations pursuant to any orders, decisions, injunctions, judgments, awards
or decrees of any  governmental  authority on the Buyer's right to use the names
and marks  listed on  Schedule  3.1.19(g)  in the  conduct  of the  Business  as
presently carried on by Acme or as such Business may be extended by the Buyer.

          3.1.20.  Insurance.  Schedule  3.1.20  contains a complete and correct
list and summary  description of all insurance  policies  maintained by Acme for
the  benefit  of or in  connection  with the  Assets or the  Business.  Acme has
delivered to the Buyer complete and correct copies of all such policies together
with all  riders and copies of all such  policies  together  with all riders and
amendments thereto. Such policies are in full force and effect, and all premiums
due  thereon  have been paid.  Acme agrees to  maintain  its  current  insurance
program  for a period  of three  (3)  years  from the  Closing  Date  ("Extended
Insurance Period").  In the event of the cancellation of its current claims-made
insurance, or in the event the insurance is written on an Occurrence policy form
in the future,  Acme shall maintain an Extended  Reporting  period in connection
with such policy for the remainder of the Extended  Insurance  Period.  Schedule
3.1.20 sets out all claims made by Acme under any policy of insurance during the
past  two  years  with  respect  to the  Business  and in the  opinion  of  Acme
reasonably  formed and held,  there is no basis on which a claim should or could
be made under any such policy with respect to it.

<PAGE 18>

          3.1.21. Confidentiality. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1.21,to the
best of its knowledge  after due inquiry,  Acme has taken all steps necessary to
preserve  the  confidential  nature  of all  material  confidential  information
(including, without limitation, any proprietary information) with respect to the
Business,  including but not limited to the manufacturing or marketing of any of
the Division products or services.

          3.1.22. No Guarantees. To the best of its knowledge after due inquiry,
none of the  obligations  or  liabilities of the Business or of Acme incurred in
connection  with the  operation of the Business is guaranteed by or subject to a
similar  contingent  obligation of any other person.  Acme has not guaranteed or
become subject to a similar contingent  obligation in respect of the obligations
or liabilities of any other person.  There are no outstanding letters of credit,
surety bonds or similar  instrument so Acme in  connection  with the Business or
Assets.

          3.1.23. Brokers,  Finders, etc. Except as set forth on Schedule3.1.24,
all negotiations relating to this Agreement, the Collateral Agreements,  and the
transactions   contemplated   thereby,   have  been   carried  on  without   the
participation  of any person  acting on behalf of Acme in such manner as to give
rise to any valid  claim  against the Buyer or any of its  subsidiaries  for any
brokerage or finder's commission, fee or similar compensation,  or for any bonus
payable to any officer, director,  employee, agent or sales representative of or
consultant to Acme upon consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby or
thereby.

          3.1.24. Disclosure. To the best of its knowledge after due inquiry, no
representation or warranty by Acme contained in this Agreement nor any statement
or  certificate  furnished  or to be furnished on its behalf to the Buyer or its
representatives  in  connection  herewith  or pursuant  hereto  contains or will
contain any untrue  statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state
any material fact required to make the  statements  contained  herein or therein
not  misleading.  There is no fact (other than matters of a general  economic or
political  nature which do not affect the Business  uniquely) known to Acme that
has not been disclosed by Acme to the Buyer that might reasonably be expected to
have or result in a material adverse effect.

          3.1.25.  Accounts  Payable.  Acme shall pay all  accounts  payable and
other  obligations  of the  Business  when they  become  due and  payable in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice.

<PAGE 19>

     3.2  Representations  and Warranties of the Buyer. The Buyer represents and
warrants to Acme as follows:

          3.2.1.  Corporate Status;  Authorization,  etc. Buyer is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
jurisdiction  of its  incorporation  with full corporate  power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and the Collateral Agreements, to perform its
obligations thereunder and to consummate the transactions  contemplated thereby.
This  Agreement  and the  Collateral  Agreements  constitute  valid and  legally
binding  obligations of the Buyer,  enforceable  against the Buyer in accordance
with their respective terms.

          3.2.2. No Conflicts,  etc. The execution,  delivery and performance by
the Buyer of this Agreement and the Collateral  Agreements and the  consummation
of the  transactions  contemplated  thereby do not and will not conflict with or
result in a  violation  of or under (with or without the giving of notice or the
lapse of time, or both) (i) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
organizational documents of the Buyer, (ii) any applicable law applicable to the
Buyer  or any of its or their  properties  or  assets  or  (iii)  any  contract,
agreement  or other  instrument  applicable  to the Buyer or any of its or their
properties or assets,  except,  in the case of clause (iii),  for violations and
defaults  that,  individually  and in the  aggregate,  have  not  and  will  not
materially  impair the ability of the Buyer to perform their  obligations  under
this  Agreement or under any of the  Collateral  Agreements  to which they are a
party. Except as specified in Schedule 3.2.2, no governmental  approval or other
consent is required to be obtained or made by the Buyer in  connection  with the
execution  and delivery of this  Agreement or the  Collateral  Agreements or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

          3.2.3.  Litigation.  There is no  action,  claim,  suit or  proceeding
pending, or to the Buyer's knowledge threatened,  in connection with or relating
to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or of any action taken or to
be  taken  in  connection  herewith  or the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

          3.2.4.  Brokers,  Finders,  etc.  All  negotiations  relating  to this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby have been carried on without
the  participation of any person acting on behalf of the Buyer in such manner as
to give rise to any valid claim  against the Buyer for any brokerage or finder's
commission, fee or similar compensation.

<PAGE 20>

          3.2.5.  Reporting  Obligations  of Buyer.  Buyer  has duly  filed on a
timely basis all reports and registration  statements to be filed by Buyer under
the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended
and  the  rules  and   regulations   adopted  by  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission("SEC") thereunder. No filings by Buyer with the SEC contain an untrue
statement of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
therein or in any related documents not misleading in light of the circumstances
under which they were made.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

     4.1 Covenants of Acme.

          4.1.1. Conduct of Business.  From the date hereof to the Closing Date,
except as  expressly  permitted  or required by this  Agreement  or as otherwise
consented to by the Buyer in writing, Acme will:

               (a) carry on the Business  in, and only in, the ordinary  course,
          in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted,  and use all
          reasonable   efforts  to   preserve   intact  its   present   business
          organization,  maintain its properties in good operating condition and
          repair,  keep  available  the  service  of its  present  officers  and
          significant  employees,  and preserve its relationship with customers,
          suppliers and others having business dealings with it, to the end that
          its goodwill  and going  business  shall be in all  material  respects
          unimpaired following the Closing;

               (b) pay accounts  payable and other  obligations  of the Business
          when they  become due and payable in the  ordinary  course of business
          consistent with prior practice;

               (c) perform in all material respects all of its obligations under
          all  contracts and other  agreements  and  instruments  relating to or
          affecting  the  Business  or the  Assets,  and comply in all  material
          respect with all applicable  laws  applicable to it, the Assets or the
          Business;

<PAGE 21>

               (d) not enter into or assume any material agreement,  contract or
          instrument  relating  to the  Business,  or enter  into or permit  any
          material  amendment,  supplement,  waiver  or  other  modification  in
          respect thereof; and

               (e) not take any action or omit to take any action,  which action
          or omission would result in a breach of any of the representations and
          warranties set forth in Section 3.1.7.

          4.1.2.  Further  Assurances.  Following the Closing,  Acme shall, from
time to time,  execute  and  deliver  such  additional  instruments,  documents,
conveyances or assurances and take such other actions as shall be necessary,  or
otherwise  reasonably  requested by the Buyer,  to confirm and assure the rights
and obligations provided for in this Agreement and in the Collateral  Agreements
and render effective the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

          4.1.3. Liability for Transfer Taxes. Acme shall be responsible for the
timely payment of, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer against,  all
sales  (including,   without   limitation,   bulk  sales),   use,  value  added,
documentary, stamp, gross receipts, registration,  transfer, conveyance, excise,
recording,  license and other similar taxes and fees ("Transfer Taxes"), if any,
arising  out of or in  connection  with  or  attributable  to  the  transactions
effected  pursuant to this Agreement and the Collateral  Agreements.  Acme shall
prepare  and  timely  file all tax  returns  required  to be filed in respect of
Transfer Taxes (including,  without limitation, all notices required to be given
with respect to bulk sales taxes), provided that the Buyer shall be permitted to
prepare  any  such  Tax  Returns  that are its  primarily  responsibility  under
applicable law. The Buyer's preparation of any such tax returns shall be subject
to Acme's approval, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably.

          4.1.4.  Certificates  of Tax  Authorities.  On the Closing Date,  Acme
shall provide to the Buyer copies of certificates  from the  appropriate  taxing
authority  stating that no Taxes are due to any state or other taxing  authority
for which the Buyer could have  liability  to withhold or pay Taxes with respect
to the  transfer  of the Assets or the  Business.  If Acme shall fail to provide
such certificates,  the Buyer shall withhold or, where appropriate,  escrow such
amounts as necessary based upon the Buyer's reasonable estimate of the amount of
such potential liability,  or as determined by the appropriate taxing authority,
to cover such Taxes until such time as certificates are provided.

<PAGE 22>

          4.1.5.  Use of Business Name.  After the Closing,  except as otherwise
provided for herein, Acme will not, directly or indirectly,  use or do business,
or allow any  affiliate  to use or due  business,  or assist any third  party in
using or doing business,  under the names and marks set forth in Schedule 1.1(d)
(or any other name confusingly similar to such names and marks).

          4.1.6.  Financial Statements.  Until the Closing, on or before the25th
day of each  month,  Acme  shall  deliver  to the Buyer  unaudited  consolidated
financial statements of the Business as at and for the monthly period ending the
last  day  of  the   preceding   month  (the   "Subsequent   Monthly   Financial
Statements"),which  shall include the same presentation  included in the Audited
Financial  Statements as set forth in section 3.1.4 (i) - (vi). At the time that
the Subsequent  Monthly  Financial  Statements are delivered to the Buyer,  Acme
shall by such delivery be deemed to have made the representations and warranties
to the Buyer with respect to such Subsequent  Monthly  Financial  Statements set
forth in Section 3.1.4.

          4.1.7.   Returns  and  Rebates.   (a)  Acme   accepts  the   financial
responsibility  for all product  returns of the Business which occurred prior to
the Closing Date; provided,  however,  that Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from
Acme any returned  products  which have a remaining  shelf life of not less than
12months (except for products that have been returned for quality reasons) which
are  resalable  in the  ordinary  course of business at the same prices at which
other similar products sold, provided that the value of the products so returned
does not exceed $10,000;

          (b) Acme agrees to reimburse  Buyer for any rebate  amount  claimed by
any customer in connection  with (and limited to) sales of the Business made and
invoiced by such customers within  seventy-five (75) days after the Closing Date
to end-user purchased, provided, however, that Acme shall have no such liability
except to the extent the rebate  amount  claimed is properly  documented to Acme
and would be properly payable under Acme's rebate policy existing on the date of
this  Agreement.  Buyer shall be solely  responsible  for paying any such rebate
amounts  in respect  of sales of the  Business  sold and  invoiced  to  end-user
purchasers seventy-six (76) or more days after the Closing Date.

          (c) Each of the  parties  shall  cooperate  fully  with  the  other in
forwarding to the proper party any misdirected rebate requests that it receives.

          4.1.8  Transition.   Contemporaneously  with  the  execution  of  this
Agreement, the parties will enter into an agreement providing for the transition
of the  Business,  including  the  supply of  certain  of the  Products  and raw
materials for a specified period after the closing.

<PAGE 23>

     4.2 Covenants of the Buyer.

          4.2.1.  Further  Actions.  (a) The Buyer agrees to use all  reasonable
good faith efforts to take all actions and to do all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (b) The Buyer will,  as promptly as  practicable,  file or supply,  or
cause to be filed or supplied,  all applications,  notifications and information
required to be filed or supplied by each of them pursuant to  applicable  law in
connection with this Agreement,  the Collateral  Agreements,  its acquisition of
the  Assets  pursuant  to this  Agreement  and  the  consummation  of the  other
transactions contemplated thereby.

          (c) The Buyer will  coordinate  and cooperate  with Acme in exchanging
such  information and supplying such reasonable  assistance as may be reasonably
requested by Acme in connection with the filings and other actions.

          4.2.2.  Further  Assurances.  Following  the Closing,  the Buyer shall
execute and deliver  such  additional  instruments,  documents,  conveyances  or
assurances  and take such other  actions  as shall be  necessary,  or  otherwise
reasonably  requested by Acme, to confirm and assure the rights and  obligations
provided  for in this  Agreement  and in the  Collateral  Agreements  and render
effective the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

          4.2.3.  Use  of  Business  Names  by the  Buyer.  To  the  extent  the
trademarks,  service marks, brand names or trade, corporate or business names of
Acme or of any of Acme's  divisions  (other than the  Division)  are used by the
Division or the Business on  stationery,  signage,  invoices,  receipts,  forms,
packaging,  advertising and promotional materials, product, training and service
literature  and  materials,   computer  programs  or  like  materials   ("Marked
Materials") or appear on Inventory at the Closing, the Buyer may use such Marked
Materials or sell such  Inventory  after  Closing for a period of five (5) years
without  altering or modifying such Marked  Materials or Inventory,  or removing
such  trademarks,  service marks,  brand names, or trade,  corporate or business
names,  but  Medical  Action  and  the  Buyer  shall  not  thereafter  use  such
trademarks,  service marks, brand names or trade, corporate or business names in
any other manner  without the prior written  consent of Acme,  provided  however
that Buyer  maintains the trace ability as to their  purchase,  manufacture  and
subsequent sale of all such raw materials,  components and finished goods as the
case may be.

<PAGE 24>

          4.2.4.  Investigation  By Buyer.  Prior to the date  hereof,  Acme has
allowed (and between the date hereof and the Closing Date Acme will  continue to
allow)  Buyer and its  Representatives,  at Buyer's own expense  during  regular
business  hours,  to  inspect  the  Assets  and to  inspect  and make  copies of
contracts,  books and records or  information  requested by Buyer and reasonably
related  to  the  conduct  of  the  Business,   including  historical  financial
information.  All  information  will be  provided  to Buyer in the form that the
information may presently exist or be readily available.  Buyer acknowledges and
agrees that it has completed such  investigation  as it deems necessary to enter
into this Agreement.

          4.2.5.  Employee  Matters.  To the  extent  that  Buyer,  in its  sole
discretion, determines to offer employment to any persons employed by Acme as of
the Closing Date,  Buyer will be responsible for all salary and benefits of such
persons  employed  by Buyer  from and after the date they  become  employees  of
Buyer,  such  salary  and  benefits  to be  determined  by  Buyer  in  its  sole
discretion.

                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     5.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the parties
to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall be subject to the
fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          5.1.1.  No  Injunction,   etc.   Consummation   of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby  shall  not have been  restrained,  enjoined  or  otherwise
prohibited by any applicable  law,  including any order,  injunction,  decree or
judgment  of any  court  or  other  governmental  authority.  No  court or other
governmental  authority shall have determined any applicable law to make illegal
the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or the  Collateral
Agreements,  and no  proceeding  with  respect  to the  application  of any such
applicable law to such effect shall be pending.

     5.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer. The obligations of the Buyer to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  be  subject  to  the
fulfillment  (or  waiver  by  Buyer)  on or  prior  to the  Closing  Date of the
following additional conditions,  which Acme agrees to use reasonable good faith
efforts to cause to be fulfilled:

<PAGE 25>

          5.2.1.   Representations,   Performance.   The   representations   and
warranties of Acme contained in this Agreement and in the Collateral  Agreements
and made  pursuant to Sections 3.1 shall be true and correct in all respects (in
the  case  of  any   representation  or  warranty   containing  any  materiality
qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation or
warranty  without any materiality  qualification)  at and as of the date hereof.
Acme shall have duly  performed  and complied in all material  respects with all
agreements and conditions  required by this Agreement and each of the Collateral
Agreements  to be  performed  or complied  with by it prior to or on the Closing
Date.  Acme shall have delivered to the Buyer a  certificate,  dated the Closing
Date and signed by its duly authorized officers, to the foregoing effect.

          5.2.2. Consents.  Acme shall have obtained and shall have delivered to
the Buyer copies of (i) all governmental approvals required to be obtained by it
in  connection   with  the   execution  and  delivery  of  this   Agreement  and
theCollateral  Agreements and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
hereby or thereby and (ii) all  consents  (including,  without  limitation,  all
consents  required  under any  contract)  necessary  to be  obtained in order to
consummate  the sale and transfer of the Assets  pursuant to this  Agreement and
the  consummation  of  the  other  transactions   contemplated  thereby  and  by
theCollateral  Agreements,  unless the failure to obtain such consent would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect.

          5.2.3.   No  Material   Adverse   Effect.   Except  as  set  forth  in
Schedule3.1.8,  no event, occurrence,  fact, condition,  change,  development or
effect shall have occurred,  exist or come to exist since the Audited Financials
that, individually or in the aggregate, has constituted or resulted in, or could
reasonably be expected to constitute or result in, a material adverse effect.

          5.2.4. Collateral Agreements. Acme shall have entered into each of the
following agreements with the Buyer:

          (a) a trademark  license  agreement,  in the form  attached  hereto as
          Exhibit "C", pursuant to which Acme will grant to Medical Action, on a
          royalty-free  basis,  the right to use in connection with the Business
          the trademarks and other Intellectual Property specified therein for a
          period of ten (10) years following the Closing;

          (b) a non-competition agreement, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
          "D",  pursuant to which Acme agrees not,  directly or  indirectly,  to
          engage,  either  directly or indirectly,  in any business  competitive
          with the Business for a period of five (5) years.

<PAGE 26>

          5.2.5.  Opinion of  Counsel.  Medical  Action  shall have  received an
opinion,  addressed to it and dated the Closing Date, from Brody,  Wilkinson and
Ober, counsel to Acme, in substance and form reasonably  satisfactory to Medical
Action.

          5.2.6. Corporate  Proceedings.  All corporate and other proceedings of
Acme in connection  with this  Agreement and the  Collateral  Agreements and the
transactions  contemplated  thereby,  and all documents and instruments incident
thereto, shall be reasonably satisfactory in substance and form to the Buyer and
its  counsel,  and the  Buyer  and its  counsel  shall  have  received  all such
documents and instruments,  or copies thereof, certified if requested, as may be
reasonably requested.

          5.2.7.  Transfer Documents.  Acme shall have delivered to the Buyer at
the Closing all documents,  certificates and agreements necessary to transfer to
the Buyer good and marketable title to the Assets, free and clear of any and all
liens thereon,  other than those included in the Assumed Liabilities,  including
without limitation:

          (a) a bill of sale,  assignment  and general  conveyance,  in form and
          substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Buyer,  dated the  Closing
          Date, with respect to the Assets;

          (b) assignments of all contracts,  Intellectual Property and any other
          agreements  and  instruments  constituting  Assets,  dated the Closing
          Date,  assigning to the Buyer all of Acme's right,  title and interest
          therein and thereto, with any required consent endorsed thereon.

          5.2.8.  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Buyer. The obligations
of Buyer to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be further
conditioned (unless waived) upon the following:

          (a) Acme's  delivery  on or before  February  15,  1999 of the Audited
          Financial  Statements  which shall  reflect (i) net sales in excess of
          $10,000,000;  and (ii) Gross  Profit  ("net  sales minus total cost of
          goods sold") as a percentage of net sales in excess of 27.5%;

          (b) Written  notification by the Securities and Exchange Commission of
          their  concurrence  that  the  filing  by the  Buyer  of  the  Audited
          Financials will meet the requirements of Rule 305 of Regulation S-X;

<PAGE 27>

          (c) the Subsequent Monthly Financial  Statements shall reflect monthly
          net sales in  excess of  $850,000  (except  for the month of  February
          1999,  which shall record net sales in excess of  $800,000)  and Gross
          Profit as a percentage of net sales of at least 27.5%; and

          (d) maintain  Inventory of at least $1,700,000 that is of good, usable
          and  merchantable  quality  in all  material  respects  and  shall not
          include  items on hand  that are in  excess  of a  twelve  (12)  month
          supply.

     5.3 Conditions to Obligations of Acme. The obligation of Acme to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be subject to the  fulfillment (or
wavier) on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following additional conditions,
which the Buyer  agrees to use  reasonable  good  faith  efforts  to cause to be
fulfilled.

          5.3.1.  Representations,  Performance,  etc. The  representations  and
warranties  of  the  Buyer  contained  in  this  Agreement  and  the  Collateral
Agreements in Section 3.2 shall be true and correct in all respects (in the case
of any representation or warranty  containing any materiality  qualification) or
in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty with out
any  materiality  qualification)  at and as of the  date  hereof  and  shall  be
repeated  and  shall be true and  correct  in all  respects  (in the case of any
representation or warranty  containing any materiality  qualification) or in all
material  respects (in the case of any  representation  or warranty  without any
materiality  qualifications)  on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect
as through made at and as of such time.  The Buyer shall have duly performed and
complied in all material respects with all agreements and conditions required by
this Agreement and the Collateral Agreements to be performed or complied with by
them prior to or on the Closing Date.  The Buyer shall have  delivered to Acme a
certificate,  dated the Closing Date and signed by its duly authorized  officer,
to the foregoing effect.

          5.3.2.  Opinion  of  Counsel.  Acme shall have  received  an  opinion,
addressed to it and dated the Closing Date, of Richard G. Satin,  Esq.,  General
Counsel for the Buyer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Acme.

          5.3.3. Corporate  Proceedings.  All corporate proceedings of the Buyer
in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and  the  Collateral  Agreements  and the
transactions  contemplated  thereby,  and all documents and instruments incident
thereto, shall be reasonably  satisfactory in substance and form to Acme and its
counsel,  and Acme and its counsel  shall have  received all such  documents and
instruments,  or copies  thereof,  certified if requested,  as may be reasonably
requested.

<PAGE 28>

          5.3.4.   Consents  and   Approvals.   Acme  shall  have  obtained  all
governmental  approvals  necessary to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.

          5.3.5.  Collateral Agreements.  The Buyer shall have entered into each
of the Collateral Agreements to which it is a party, paid the Purchase Price and
delivered the Warrants.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     6.1  Indemnification.  (a) By Acme.  Acme  covenants  and agrees to defend,
indemnify  and hold  harmless the Buyer,  its  officers,  directors,  employees,
agents, advisers,  representatives and affiliates (collectively,  the "the Buyer
Indemnitees") from and against,  and pay or reimburse the Buyer for, any and all
claims, liabilities,  obligations, losses, fines, costs, royalties, proceedings,
deficiencies or damages (whether absolute, accrued, conditional or otherwise and
whether or not  resulting  from third  party  claims),  including  out-of-pocket
expenses  and  reasonable  attorney's  and  accountants'  fees  incurred  in the
investigation  or  defense  of any of the  same  or in  asserting  any of  their
respective rights hereunder (collectively,  "Losses"), resulting from or arising
out of:

          (i) any inaccuracy of any  representation  or warranty made by Acme in
          this  Agreement or Collateral  Agreement or in connection  herewith or
          therewith;

          (ii) any failure of Acme to perform any  covenant or  agreement  under
          this Agreement or Collateral Agreement or fulfill any other obligation
          in respect hereof or thereof;

          (iii) any Excluded Liabilities;

          (iv) any and all taxes of Acme not  relating  to or arising out of the
          Business;

          (v) any product liability claim with respect to products  manufactured
          or sold by Acme;

          (vi) any failure of Acme to comply with applicable bulk sales laws (in
          consideration  of which  indemnification  obligations the Buyer hereby
          waives compliance by Acme with any applicable bulk sales laws); and

<PAGE 29>

          (vii) any liability for infringement of any trade mark,  patent or any
          other  intellectual  property,  including  ACU-DERM,  with  respect to
          products manufactured or sold by Acme.

          (b) By the Buyer. The Buyer covenants and agrees to defend,  indemnify
and hold harmless Acme and its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisers,
representatives and affiliates  (collectively,  the "Acme  Indemnitees")from and
against any and all Losses resulting from or arising out of:

          (i) any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty by the Buyer made
          or contained  in this  Agreement or any  Collateral  Agreements  or in
          connection therewith;

          (ii) any  failure of the Buyer to perform any  covenant  or  agreement
          made or contained in this  Agreement  or any  collateral  agreement or
          fulfill any other obligation in respect hereof and thereof;

          (iii) the Assumed Liabilities;

          (iv) the use by the Buyer of any Acme trade names or trademarks  after
          the  Closing  Date  as  contemplated  by  Section  4.2.3;  and (v) the
          operation  of the  Business  by the Buyer or the  Buyer's  or  Medical
          Action's  ownership,  operation  or use of the  Assets  following  the
          Closing Date.

          (c) Indemnification Procedures. In the case of any claim asserted by a
third party against a party  entitled to  indemnification  under this  Agreement
(the "Indemnified Party"), notice shall be given by the Indemnified Party to the
party required to provide  indemnification  (the "Indemnifying  Party") promptly
after  such  Indemnified  Party has  actual  knowledge  of any claim as to which
indemnity may be sought, and the Indemnified Party shall permit the Indemnifying
Party (at the expense of such  Indemnifying  Party) to assume the defense of any
claim or any litigation  resulting  therefrom,  provided that (i)the counsel for
the Indemnifying Party who shall conduct the defense of such claim or litigation
shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the Indemnified  Party,(ii) the Indemnified
Party may participate in such defense at such Indemnified  Party's expense,  and
(iii) the omission by any  Indemnified  Party to give notice as provided  herein
shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligation under
this Agreement,  except to the extent that such omission results in a failure of
actual  notice  to  the  Indemnifying  Party  and  such  Indemnifying  Party  is
materially damaged as a result of such failure to give notice. Except with

<PAGE 30>

the prior written  consent of the Indemnified  Party, no Indemnifying  Party, in
the  defense  of any such  claim or  litigation,  shall  consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any  settlement  that  provides for  injunctive  or other
nonmonetary relief affecting the Indemnified Party or that does not include as a
unconditional  term  thereof the giving by each  claimant or  plaintiff  to such
Indemnified  Party of a release from all liability with respect to such claim or
litigation.  In the  event  that  the  Indemnified  Party  shall  in good  faith
determine   that  the   conduct  of  the   defense  of  any  claim   subject  to
indemnification  hereunder or any proposed  settlement  of any such claim by the
Indemnifying Party might be expected to affect adversely the Indemnified Party's
Tax liability or the ability of the Buyer to conduct its  business,  or that the
Indemnified Party may have available to it one or more defenses or counterclaims
that are  inconsistent  with one or more of those that may be  available  to the
Indemnifying Party in respect of such claim or any litigation  relating thereto,
the Indemnified  Party shall have the right at all times to take over and assume
control over the defense, settlement, negotiations or litigation relating to any
such  claim at the sole cost of the  Indemnifying  Party,  provided  that if the
Indemnified  Party does so take over and assume control,  the Indemnified  Party
shall not settle such claim or  litigation  without  the written  consent of the
Indemnifying Party, such consent not to be unreasonably  withheld.  In the event
that the  Indemnifying  Party does not accept the defense of any matter as above
provided,  the Indemnified Party shall have the full right to defend against any
such  claim or demand  and shall be  entitled  to settle or agree to pay in full
such claim or demand.  In any event, the Indemnifying  Party and the Indemnified
Party shall cooperate in the defense of any such claim or litigation  subject to
this  Section 6.1 and the records of each shall be  available  to the other with
respect to such defense.

          (d) Time Limitation. All claims for indemnification under clause(i) of
the first  sentence  of Section  6.1(a) or clause (i) of the first  sentence  of
Section  6.1(b)  must be  asserted  within  30 days  of the  termination  of the
respective survival periods set forth in Section 6.2.

     6.2 Survival of Representations  and Warranties,  etc. The  representations
and  warranties  contained in this  Agreement  shall  survive the  execution and
delivery  of this  Agreement,  any  examination  by or on behalf of the  parties
hereto and the completion of the transactions  contemplated  herein, but only to
the extent specified below:

          (a)  except  as set  forth in  clauses  (b),  (c) and (d)  below,  the
          representations  and  warranties  contained in Section 3.1 and Section
          3.2 shall  survive for a period of one (1) year  following the Closing
          Date.

<PAGE 31>

          (b) the  representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 3.1.1,
          3.1.2, 3.1.3 and 3.2.1 shall survive without limitation; and

          (c) the  representations  and  warranties of Acme contained in Section
          3.1.6 shall survive as to any tax covered by such  representations and
          warranties  for so long as any  statute  of  limitations  for such Tax
          remains open,  in whole or in part,  including  without  limitation by
          reason of waiver of such statute of limitations.

          (d) the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Section 3.1.20
          shall survive for three (3) years following the Closing Date.

     6.3 Expenses.  Except as provided in Section 4.1.3,  Acme, on the one hand,
and the Buyer, on the other hand,  shall bear their respective  expenses,  costs
and fees  (including  attorneys',  auditors'  and financing  commitment  fees)in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the preparation,
execution   and  delivery  of  this   Agreement  and   compliance   herewith(the
"Transaction Expenses").

     6.4 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, including any phrase,
sentence,  clause, Section or subsection is inoperative or unenforceable for any
reason,  such circumstances shall not have the effect of rendering the provision
in question  inoperative or unenforceable in any other case or circumstance,  or
of  rendering  any other  provision  or  provisions  herein  contained  invalid,
inoperative, or unenforceable to any extent whatsoever.

     6.5  Notices.   All   notices,   requests,   demands,   waivers  and  other
communications  required or permitted to be given under this Agreement  shall be
in  writing  and  shall  be  deemed  to have  been  duly  give if (a)  delivered
personally,  (b) mailed by  first-class,  registered or certified  mail,  return
receipt  requested,  postage prepaid,  (c) sent by next-day or overnight mail or
delivery, or (d) sent by telecopy or telegram.

(i)      if to the Buyer, to
         Medical Action Industries Inc.
         150 Motor Parkway, Suite 205
         Hauppauge, NY 11788
         Attention: Paul D. Meringola
         Chief Executive Officer
         Telephone: 516-231-4600
         Telecopier: 516-231-3075

<PAGE 32>

         with a copy to:

         Richard G. Satin, Esq.
         General Counsel
         Medical Action Industries Inc.
         150 Motor Parkway, Suite 205
         Hauppauge, NY 11788 Telephone: 516-231-4600
         Telecopier: 516-231-3075

(ii)     if to Acme, to

         Acme United Corporation
         75 Kings Highway Cutoff
         Fairfield, CT 06430
         Attention: Walter C. Johnsen
         Chief Executive Officer
         Telephone: 203-332-4106
         Telecopier: 203-576-1547

         with a copy to:

         James E. Rice, Esq.
         Brody, Wilkinson and Ober
         2507 Post Road
         Southport, CT 06490
         Telephone: 203-259-8993
         Telecopier: 203-254-1772

or, in each case,  at such other  address as may be  specified in writing to the
other parties hereto.

All such notices,  requests,  demands, waivers and other communications shall be
deemed to have been  received (w) if by personal  delivery on the day after such
delivery,  (x) if by certified or registered  mail, on the seventh  business day
after the mailing thereof, (y) if by next-day or overnight mail or delivery,  on
the day delivered, (z) if by telecopy or telegram, on the next day following the
day on which such  telecopy or telegram was sent,  provided  that a copy is also
sent by certified or registered mail.

<PAGE 33>

     6.6. Miscellaneous.

          6.6.1.  Headings.  The headings  contained in this  Agreement  are for
purposes of convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or  interpretation
of this Agreement.

          6.6.2.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (including  the Schedules
hereto) and the Collateral  Agreements (when executed and delivered)  constitute
the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

          6.6.3.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  several
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original  and all of which shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.

          6.6.4.  Governing  Law, etc. This  Agreement  shall be governed in all
respects,  including as to validity,  interpretation and effect, by the internal
laws of the State of New York,  without  giving  effect to the  conflict of laws
rules thereof.  The Buyer and Acme hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction
of the  courts of the  State of New York and the  Federal  courts of the  United
States of America  located in the State,  City and County of New York  solely in
respect  of the  interpretation  and  enforcement  of  the  provisions  of  this
Agreement and of the documents referred to in this Agreement,  and hereby waive,
and agree not to assert, as a defense in any action,  suit or proceeding for the
interpretation  or enforcement  hereof or of any such  document,  that it is not
subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is
not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate
or that this Agreement or any of such document may not be enforced in or by said
courts, and the parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims with respect to
such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such a New York State
or Federal court. The Buyer, Medical Action and Acme hereby consent to and grant
any such court jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject
matter of any such  dispute and agree that mailing of process or other papers in
connection  with any  such  action  or  proceeding  in the  manner  provided  in
Section6.5,  or in such other manner as may be permitted by law,  shall be valid
and sufficient service thereof.

          6.6.5.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon andinure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,  successors and
permitted assigns.

 <PAGE 34>

          6.6.6. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable or otherwise
transferable  by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties hereto.

          6.6.7. No Third Party Beneficiaries.  Except as provided in Section6.1
with respect to  indemnification of Indemnified  Parties  hereunder,  nothing in
this Agreement  shall confer any rights upon any person or entity other than the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.

          6.6.8.  Amendment;   Waivers,  etc.  No  amendment,   modification  or
discharge of this Agreement,  and no waiver  hereunder,  shall be binding unless
set forth in writing and duly executed by the party against whom  enforcement of
the  amendment,  modification,  discharge  or waiver is sought.  Any such waiver
shall  constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter described in
such  writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the party  granting  such
waiver in any other  respect or at any other time.  Neither the waiver by any of
the parties  hereto of a breach of or a default  under any of the  provisions of
this Agreement, nor the failure by any of the parties, on one or more occasions,
to enforce any of the  provisions of this  Agreement or to exercise any right or
privilege  hereunder,  shall be  construed  as a waiver of any  other  breach or
default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any of such provisions, rights or
privileges hereunder. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and
are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have at
law or in equity.  The rights and remedies of any party based upon,  arising out
of or otherwise in respect of any  inaccuracy  or breach of any  representation,
warranty,  covenant or agreement or failure to fulfill any condition shall in no
way be limited by the fact that the act, omission,  occurrence or other state of
facts upon which any claim of any such inaccuracy or breach is based may also be
the subject matter of any other representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement
as to which there is no inaccuracy or breach. The representations and warranties
of Acme shall not be  affected or deemed  waived by reason of any  investigation
made by or on behalf of the Buyer  (including  but not  limited to by any of its
advisors,  consultants  or  representatives)  or by  reason of the fact that the
Buyer or any of such  advisors,  consultants or  representatives  knew or should
have known that any such representation or warranty is or might be inaccurate.

<PAGE 35>

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   TERMINATION

         7.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Closing Date:

         (a) by the written agreement of the Buyer and Acme;

         (b) by either Acme or the Buyer by written notice to the other party if
         the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall not have been consummated
         pursuant  hereto  by 5:00 p.m.  New York  City time on April 15,  1999,
         unless  such date shall be extended  by the mutual  written  consent of
         Acme and the Buyer;

         (c) by the Buyer by written  notice to Acme if (i) the  representations
         and  warranties  of Acme  shall not have been true and  correct  in all
         respects (in the case of any representation or warranty  containing any
         materiality  qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of
         any  representation or warranty without any materiality  qualification)
         as of the date when made or (ii) if any of the  conditions set forth in
         Section 5.1 or 5.2 shall not have been, or if it becomes  apparent that
         any of such  conditions  will not be,  fulfilled  by 5:00 p.m. New York
         City time on April 15, 1999, unless failure shall be due to the failure
         of the Buyer to perform or comply with any of the covenants, agreements
         or  conditions  hereof to be performed or complied  with by it prior to
         the Closing; or

         (d) by Acme by written  notice to the Buyer if (i) the  representations
         and warranties of the Buyer shall not have been true and correct in all
         respects (in the case of any representation or warranty  containing any
         materiality  qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of
         any  representation or warranty without any materiality  qualification)
         as of the date when made or (ii) if any of the  conditions set forth in
         Sections 5.1 or 5.3 shall not have been, or if it becomes apparent that
         any of such  conditions  will not be,  fulfilled  by 5:00 p.m. New York
         City time on April 15, 1999,  unless such  failure  shall be due to the
         failure  of  Acme to  perform  or  comply  with  any of the  covenants,
         agreements or conditions  hereof to be performed or complied with by it
         prior to the Closing.

<PAGE 36>

         7.2  Effect of  Termination.  In the event of the  termination  of this
Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.1, this Agreement shall become
void and have no effect, without any liability to any person in respect hereofor
of the transactions  contemplated hereby on the part of any party hereto, or any
of its directors,  officers,  employees,  agents, consultants,  representatives,
advisors or stockholders,  except as specified in Section 6.3 and except for any
liability resulting from such party's breach of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                 MEDICAL ACTION INDUSTRIES INC.

                 By: /s/ Paul D. Meringola
                     ----------------------------------
                         Paul D. Meringola
                         Chief Executive Officer and President


                 ACME UNITED CORPORATION

                 By: /s/ Walter C. Johnsen
                     ----------------------------------
                         Walter C. Johnsen
                         Chief Executive Officer and President