SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C. 20549
                        -----------------------

                                FORM S-8
                        Registration Statement
                                 Under
                      The Securities Act of 1933
            NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC.[F1] 
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                       13-3757370
     (State or other jurisdiction          (I.R.S. Employer
          of incorporation or           Identification Number)
             organization)

                         4225 Executive Square
                               Suite 805
                      La Jolla, California  92037
         (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

               NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES INCORPORATED
                        1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                       (Full title of the plan)
                        James G. Richmond, Esq.
                         4225 Executive Square
                               Suite 805
                       La Jolla, California 92037
                            (619) 657-9382
       (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                    CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                   Proposed      Proposed
                                   maximum       maximum
   Title of        Amount          offering      aggregate    Amount of
   securities to   to be           price per     offering     registration
   be registered   registered      share         price        fee
   Common Stock,
   par value $.01  3,000,000[F2]   $11.125[F3]   $33,375,000  $11,509



   [FN]

        [F1] National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. is the
   successor registrant to National Health Laboratories Incorporated
   pursuant to a holding company reorganization effected as of
   June 7, 1994.  The reorganization was effected pursuant to a
   Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-52655).

        [F2] Pursuant to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
   No. 1 to Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration 
   No. 33-29182 and Registration No. 33-43006), 2,000,000 and
   550,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, were previously
   registered in connection with National Health Laboratories
   Incorporated's 1988 Stock Option Plan; the Registrant hereby
   registers an additional 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

        [F3] The shares are to be offered at prices not presently
   determinable.  Pursuant to Rule 457(h), the offering price is
   estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration
   fee and is based on the average of the high and low prices of the
   Common Stock quoted on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
   Transaction Tape on August 5, 1994.


   2

                       Explanatory Note


               On February 15, 1994, the Board of Directors of
     National Health Laboratories Incorporated ("NHL") approved
     NHL's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Plan"), subject to
     the approval of NHL's Stockholders, which approval was
     obtained on June 7, 1994. 

               On April 25, 1994, the Registration Statement on
     Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-52655) (as amended, the "S-4
     Registration Statement") of National Health Laboratories
     Holdings Inc. ("Holdings") was declared effective under the
     Securities Act.  The S-4 Registration Statement was filed in
     connection with the offering by Holdings of shares of its
     common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), in
     exchange for shares of NHL Common Stock in accordance with a
     proposed corporate merger and reorganization whereby NHL
     became the wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Holdings and
     Holdings became the indirect parent holding company of NHL. 


               As a result of the consummation of the merger and
     reorganization described in the S-4 Registration Statement,
     the terms of the 1994 Plan were adjusted to provide for the
     offering of Common Stock upon exercise of the options from
     time to time in accordance with the 1994 Plan.  



     3

                                PART II

          INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     Item 3.   Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

               The following documents filed with the Commission
     are incorporated herein by reference:

               a.   NHL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                    fiscal year ended December 31, 1993;

               b.   NHL's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                    fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1994; and

               c.   Holdings' Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                    July 8, 1994.

               d.   The description of the Common Stock contained
                    under the Heading "Description of Capital
                    Stock" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
                    included in the S-4 Registration Statement.

               All documents subsequently filed by Holdings
     pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior
     to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
     that all securities offered have been sold or which
     deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
     deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a
     part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

     Item 4.   Description of Securities.
               Not Applicable.

     Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

               Legal matters in connection with the Common Stock
     offered hereby have been passed on for Holdings by its
     Executive Vice President and General Counsel, James G.
     Richmond.  

     Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

               As authorized by Section 145 of the General
     Corporation Law of Delaware (the "Delaware Corporation
     Law"), each director and officer of NHL or Holdings may be
     indemnified by NHL or Holdings, respectively, against
     expenses (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and
     amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred
     in connection with the defense or settlement of any threat-
     ened, pending or completed legal proceedings in which he is


     4


     involved by reason of the fact that he is or was a director
     or officer of NHL or Holdings; provided that he acted in
     good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be
     in or not opposed to the best interest of NHL or Holdings,
     as applicable, and, with respect to any criminal action or
     proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause to believe that
     his conduct was unlawful.  If the legal proceeding, however,
     is by or in the right of NHL or Holdings, the director or
     officer may not be indemnified in respect of any claim,
     issue or matter as to which he shall have been adjudged to
     be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
     his duty to NHL or Holdings, as the case may be, unless a
     court determines otherwise.

               Article Fifth of the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation of NHL and Article Sixth of the Certificate of
     Incorporation of Holdings provides that no director of NHL
     or Holdings shall be personally liable to NHL or Holdings,
     respectively, or their respective stockholders for monetary
     damages for any breach of his fiduciary duty as a director; 
     provided, however, that such clause shall not apply to any
     liability of a director (i) for any breach of such
     director's duty of loyalty to NHL or Holdings, as the case
     may be, or their respective stockholders, (ii) for acts or
     omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
     misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to
     Section 174 of the Delaware Corporation Law or (iv) for any
     transaction from which the director derived an improper
     personal benefit.  In addition, Article Sixth of the
     Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Article VII of the
     amended By-laws of NHL and Article VII of the By-laws of
     Holdings authorize NHL and Holdings, respectively, to
     indemnify any person entitled to be indemnified by it under
     law to the fullest extent permitted by law.  

     Item 7.   Exemption from Registration Claimed.

               Not Applicable.  

     Item 8.   Exhibits

               4.1      Form of National Health Laboratories
                        Incorporated 1994 Stock Option Plan.

               4.2      Form of Stock Option Agreement.
               
               5        Opinion of James G. Richmond, Esq., as to
                        the shares of Common Stock being
                        registered.

               23.1     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick.

     5



               23.2     Consent of James G. Richmond (contained
                        in his opinion filed as Exhibit 5).
               24       Powers of Attorney.


     Item 9.   Undertakings.

               Holdings hereby undertakes:  

               1.  To file, during any period in which offers or
     sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
     registration statement to include any material information
     with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
     disclosed in the registration statement or any material
     change to such information in the registration statement.  

               2.  That, for the purpose of determining any
     liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
     amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
     of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.

               3.  To remove from registration by means of a
     post-effective amendment any of the securities being 
     registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
     offering.

               4.  That, for purposes of determining any
     liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
     registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
     Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by
     reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to
     be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
     thereof.

               5.  To deliver or cause to be delivered with the
     prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
     given, the latest annual report to security holders that is
     incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished
     pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or
     Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where interim
     financial information required to be presented by Article 3
     of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to
     deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the
     prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report
     that is specifically incorporated by reference in the
     prospectus to provide such interim financial information.


     6



               Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
     under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
     officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant
     to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
     has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
     indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
     Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the
     event that a claim for indemnification against such
     liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of
     expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
     controlling person of the registrant in the successful
     defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
     such director, officer or controlling person in connection
     with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
     unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
     appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
     indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
     in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
     adjudication of such issue.


     7



                               SIGNATURE

               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
     of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable
     grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for
     filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this post-effective
     amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its
     behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
     City of La Jolla, the State of California, on this 12th day
     of August, 1994.

                              NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES
                              HOLDINGS INC.,

                                by /s/ David C. Flaugh
                                  ------------------------------
                                  Name:  David C. Flaugh
                                  Title: Senior Executive Vice
                                         President, Chief
                                         Operating Officer and
                                         Acting Chief Financial
                                         Officer

               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
     of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by or
     on behalf of the following persons in the capacities and on
     the dates indicated:


           Signature           Title               Date

                *
     ------------------------  Chairman of the      August 12, 1994
        Ronald O. Perelman     Board and Director

                *
     ------------------------  President, Chief     August 12, 1994
          James R. Maher       Executive Officer
                               and Director

     /s/ David C. Flaugh       Senior Executive     August 12, 1994
     ------------------------  Vice President,
         David C. Flaugh       Chief Operating
                               Officer and Acting
                               Chief Financial
                               Officer (Principal 
                               Financial and 
                               Accounting Officer)
                *
     -----------------------   Director             August 12, 1994
       Saul J. Farber, M.D.



     8



                *
     ------------------------  Director             August 12, 1994
         Howard Gittis 
                *
     ------------------------  Director             August 12, 1994
       Ann Dibble Jordan

                *
     ------------------------  Director             August 12, 1994
         David J. Mahoney

                *
     ------------------------  Director             August 12, 1994
        Paul A. Marks, M.D.

                *
     ------------------------  Director             August 12, 1994
       Linda Gosden Robinson

                *
     -----------------------   Director             August 12, 1994
       Samuel O. Thier, M.D.

     *By: /s/ David C. Flaugh
          -------------------
           David C. Flaugh
           Attorney-in-Fact
           August 12, 1994


     9




                               EXHIBIT INDEX

     Exhibit                                               Page

     4.1       Form of National Health Laboratories
               Incorporated 1994 Stock Option Plan.

     4.2       Form of Stock Option Agreement.

     5         Opinion of James G. Richmond, Esq. as to
               the shares of Common Stock being
               registered.

     23.1      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick.

     23.2      Consent of James G. Richmond, Esq.
               (contained in his opinion filed as
               Exhibit 5).

     24        Powers of Attorney.


 


                                                      EXHIBIT 4.1

               NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES INCORPORATED
                        1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1.   Purpose; Restrictions on Amount Available under the
          Plan.

               This 1994 Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is intended
     to encourage stock ownership by employees of National Health
     Laboratories Incorporated (the "Company") and employees of
     Affiliated Corporations (as defined in Section 2(a) hereof),
     so that they may acquire or increase their proprietary
     interest in the Company, and to encourage such employees to
     remain in the employ of the Company and to put forth maximum
     efforts for the success of the business.  It is further
     intended that options granted by the Committee pursuant to
     Section 6 of this Plan shall constitute "incentive stock
     options" ("Incentive Stock Options") within the meaning of
     Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
     thereafter amended, and the regulations issued thereunder
     (the "Code"), and options granted by the Committee pursuant
     to Section 7 of this Plan shall constitute "nonqualified
     stock options" ("Nonqualified Stock Options").  Grants under
     this Plan may consist of Incentive Stock Options,
     Nonqualified Stock Options (collectively, "Options") or
     stock appreciation rights ("Rights"), which Rights may be
     either granted in conjunction with Options ("Related
     Rights") or unaccompanied by Options ("Free Standing
     Rights"), as hereinafter set forth.


     2.   Definitions.

               As used in this Plan, the following words and
     phrases shall have the meanings indicated:

               (a)  "AFFILIATE CORPORATION" or "AFFILIATE" shall
     mean any corporation, directly or indirectly, through one or
     more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under
     common control with the Company.

               (b)  "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean circumstances
     under which Ronald O. Perelman, individually, or his estate,
     heirs or personal representative or any trust created for
     the benefit of his children, or any corporation or other
     entity which such persons control, directly or indirectly,
     cease to maintain "beneficial ownership" (as defined in
     Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), individually or in the


     2



     aggregate, of securities of the Company representing five
     percent (5%) or more of the combined voting power of the
     Company's then outstanding securities.

               (c)  "DISABILITY" shall mean an optionee's
     inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
     reason of medically determinable physical or mental
     impairment that can be expected to result in death or that
     has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous
     period of not less than twelve (12) months.

               (d)  "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

               (e)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" per share as of a
     particular date shall mean (i) the closing sales price per
     share of Common Stock (as defined in Section 5 hereof) on a
     national securities exchange for the last preceding date on
     which there was a sale of such Common Stock on such
     exchange, or (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are then
     traded on an over-the-counter market, the average of the
     closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock
     in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date
     on which there was a sale of such Common Stock in such
     market, or (iii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then
     listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an
     over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee in its
     discretion may determine.

               (f)  "PARENT CORPORATION" shall mean any
     corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of
     corporations ending with the Company if, at the time of
     granting an Option, each of such corporations (other than
     the Company) owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or
     more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
     stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

               (g)  "RETIREMENT" shall mean an optionee's
     termination of employment in accordance with the provisions
     of the Company's Employee Retirement Plan at such Optionee's
     Normal Retirement Date, as defined in such plan.

               (h)  "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" shall mean any
     corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of
     corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of
     granting an option, each of such corporations other than the
     last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing
     fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting


     3



     power of all classes of stock in one of the other
     corporations in such chain.

               (i)  "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" shall mean an
     Optionee who, at the time an Incentive Stock Option is
     granted, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%)
     of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
     of the Company or of its Parent Corporation or Subsidiary
     corporations.


     3.   Administration.

               The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the
     "Committee") appointed by the Board of Directors of the
     Company (the "Board"), which shall be comprised of three or
     more persons, each of whom shall qualify as (a) an "outside
     director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code
     and (b) a "disinterested person" as described in
     Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

               The Committee shall have the authority in its
     discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express
     provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to
     exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically
     granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in
     the administration of the Plan, including, without
     limitation, the authority to grant Options; to determine
     which Options shall constitute Incentive Stock Options and
     which Options shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options;
     to determine which Rights (if any) shall be granted in
     conjunction with Options; to determine the purchase price of
     the shares of Common Stock covered by each Option (the
     "Option Price"); to determine the persons to whom, and the
     time or times at which, Options shall be granted; to
     determine the number of shares to be covered by each Option;
     to interpret the Plan; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules
     and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms
     and provisions of the agreements (which need not be
     identical) entered into in connection with Options and/or
     Rights granted under the Plan ("Option Agreements"); and to
     make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable
     for the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may
     delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more
     agents such administrative duties as may be deemed
     advisable, and the Committee or any person to whom it has
     delegated duties as aforesaid may employ one or more persons


     4



     to render advice with respect to any responsibility the
     Committee or such person may have under the Plan.

               No member of the Board of Directors or Committee
     shall be liable for any action taken or determination made
     in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option or
     Right granted hereunder.


     4.   Eligibility.

               Options, Rights, or both Options and Rights may be
     granted to key employees (including, without limitation,
     officers and directors who are employees) of the Company or
     its present or future Affiliate Corporations, except that
     Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to individuals
     who, on the date of such grant, are employees of the Company
     or a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation.  In
     determining the persons to whom Options and/or Rights shall
     be granted and the number of shares to be covered by each
     option and any Rights, the Committee shall take into account
     the duties of the respective persons, their present and
     potential contributions to the success of the Company and
     such other factors as the Committee shall deem relevant in
     connection with accomplishing the purpose of the Plan.  A
     person to whom an Option has been granted hereunder is
     sometimes referred to herein as an "Optionee."

               An Optionee shall be eligible to receive more than
     one grant of an Option during the term of the Plan, but only
     on the terms and subject to the restrictions hereinafter set
     forth.


     5.   Stock.

               The stock subject to Options and Rights hereunder
     shall be shares of the Company's common stock, par value
     $0.01 per share ("Common Stock").  Such shares may, in whole
     or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares that
     shall have been or that may be reacquired by the Company. 
     The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which
     Options and Rights may be granted from time to time under
     the Plan shall not exceed 3,000,000.  No person may be
     granted Options or Rights under the Plan representing an
     aggregate of more than 750,000 shares of Common Stock.  The
     limitations established by the preceding two sentences shall
     be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8(i) hereof.


     5



               To the extent that (1) any Option expires or is
     terminated without being exercised or surrendered, (2) any
     option is surrendered on exercise of a Right for cash or the
     issuance of fewer shares of Common Stock than issuable under
     such surrendered Option or (3) any Free Standing Right
     expires or is terminated without being exercised, the shares
     of Common Stock issuable thereunder, less such shares
     issued, shall become available for grants of options or
     Rights.


     6.   Incentive Stock Options.

               Options granted pursuant to this Section 6 are
     intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options and shall be
     subject to the following special terms and conditions, in
     addition to the general terms and conditions specified in
     Section 8 hereof.

               (a)  VALUE OF SHARES.  The aggregate Fair Market
     Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option
     is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to
     which Options granted under this Plan and all other option
     plans of the Company, any Parent Corporation and any
     Subsidiary Corporation become exercisable for the first time
     by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed
     $100,000.

               (b)  TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS.  In the case of an
     Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder,
     (i) the Option Price shall not be less than one hundred ten
     percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
     Stock of the Company on the date of grant of such Incentive
     Stock Option, and (ii) the exercise period shall not exceed
     five (5) years from the date of grant of such Incentive
     Stock Option.


     7.   Nonqualified Stock Options.

               Options granted pursuant to this Section 7 are
     intended to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options and shall
     be subject only to the general terms and conditions
     specified in Sections 5 and 8 hereof.


     6



     8.   Terms and Conditions of Options.

               Each Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be
     evidenced by a written Option Agreement between the Company
     and the optionee, which agreement shall comply with and be
     subject to the following terms and conditions:

               (a)  NUMBER OF SHARES.  Each Option Agreement
     shall state the number of shares of Common Stock to which
     the Option relates.

               (b)  TYPE OF OPTION.  Each Option Agreement shall
     specifically identify the portion, if any, of the Option
     which constitutes an Incentive Stock Option and the portion,
     if any, which constitutes a Nonqualified Stock Option.

               (c)  OPTION PRICE.  Each Option Agreement shall
     state the Option Price per share of Common Stock, which, in
     the case of Incentive Stock Options, shall be not less than
     one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a
     share of Common Stock of the Company on the date of grant of
     the Option and shall be further subject to the limitation
     described in Section 6(b) hereof.  The Option Price shall be
     subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8(i) hereof. 
     The date on which the Committee adopts a resolution
     expressly granting an option shall be considered the day on
     which such option is granted.

               (d)  MEDIUM AND TIME OF PAYMENT.  The Option Price
     shall be paid in full, at the time of exercise, in cash or
     in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal
     to such Option Price or in a combination of cash and such
     shares, and may be effected in whole or in part (i) with
     monies received from the Company at the time of exercise as
     a compensatory cash payment, or (ii) with monies borrowed
     from the Company pursuant to repayment terms and conditions
     as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee,
     in its discretion, separately with respect to each exercise
     of options and each optionee; provided, however, that each
     such method and time for payment and each such borrowing and
     terms and conditions of security, if any, and repayment
     shall be permitted by and be in compliance with applicable
     law.

               (e)  TERM AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.  Options shall
     be exercised over the exercise period as and at the times
     and upon the conditions that the Committee may determine, as
     reflected in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that


     7



     the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the
     exercisability of any outstanding option at such time and
     under such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion,
     deems appropriate.  The exercise period shall be determined
     by the Committee; provided, however, that in the case of an
     Incentive Stock option, such exercise period shall not
     exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant of such
     Incentive Stock Option and such exercise period shall be
     further limited in circumstances described in Section 6(b)
     hereof.  The exercise period shall be subject to earlier
     termination as provided in Section 8(f) and 8(g) hereof.  An
     Option may be exercised, as to any or all full shares of
     Common Stock as to which the Option has become exercisable,
     by giving written notice of such exercise to the Committee;
     provided, however, that an Option may not be exercised at
     any one time as to fewer than one hundred (100) shares (or
     such number of shares as to which the Option is then
     exercisable if such number of shares is less than one
     hundred (100)).

               (f)  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  Except as
     provided in this Section 8(f) and in Section 8(g) hereof, an
     Option may not be exercised unless the Optionee is then in
     the employ of (1) the Company, (2) an Affiliate Corporation
     or (3) a corporation issuing or assuming the Option in a
     transaction to which Section 424 of the Code applies or a
     parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the
     corporation described in this Clause 3, and unless the
     Optionee has remained continuously so employed since the
     date of grant of the Option.  In the event that the
     employment of an Optionee shall terminate (other than by
     reason of death, Disability or Retirement), all options of
     such Optionee that are exercisable at the time of such
     termination may, unless earlier terminated in accordance
     with their terms, be exercised within three (3) months after
     such termination.  Nothing in the Plan or in any Option or
     Right granted pursuant hereto shall confer upon an
     individual any right to continue in the employ of the
     Company or any of its Affiliate Corporations or interfere in
     any way with the right of the Company or any such Affiliate
     Corporation to terminate such employment at any time.

               (g)  ACCELERATION OF BENEFITS UPON DEATH,
     DISABILITY OR RETIREMENT OF OPTIONEE OR A CHANGE IN CONTROL. 
     If (i) an Optionee shall die while employed by the Company
     or an Affiliate Corporation thereof, (ii) an Optionee shall
     die within three (3) months after the termination of such
     Optionee's employment, (iii) the Optionee's employment shall


     8



     terminate by reason of Disability or Retirement, or
     (iv) there is a Change in Control, then in any such case all
     options theretofore granted to such Optionee (whether or not
     then exercisable) may, unless earlier terminated or expired
     in accordance with their terms, be exercised by the Optionee
     or by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the
     right to exercise such Option by bequest or inheritance or
     otherwise by reason of the death or Disability of the
     Optionee, at any time within one year after the date of
     death, Disability or Retirement of the Optionee or the
     Change in Control.

               (h)  NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  Options
     granted under the Plan shall not be transferable otherwise
     than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and
     Options may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
     Optionee, only by the Optionee or by his guardian or legal
     representative.

               (i)  EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHANGES.  

                    (1)  If there is any change in the number of
     outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock
     dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination,
     exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation,
     split-up, spin-off or other similar change in
     capitalization, any distribution to common shareholders,
     including a rights offering, other than cash dividends, or
     any like change, then the number of shares of Common Stock
     available for Options and Rights, the number of such shares
     covered by outstanding Options and Rights, and the price per
     share of such Options or the applicable market value of
     Rights, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Committee
     to reflect such change or distribution; provided, however,
     that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment
     shall be eliminated.

                    (2)  In the event of a change in the Common
     Stock of the Company as presently constituted, which is
     limited to a change of all of its authorized shares with par
     value into the same number of shares with a different par
     value or without par value, the shares resulting from any
     such change shall be deemed to be the Common Stock within
     the meaning of the Plan.

                    (3)  To the extent that the foregoing
     adjustments relate to stock or securities of the Company,
     such adjustments shall be made by the Committee, whose


     9



     determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
     conclusive, provided that each Inventive Stock Option
     granted pursuant to this Plan shall not be adjusted in a
     manner that causes such option to fail to continue to
     qualify as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of
     Section 422 of the Code.

               (j)  RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.  An Optionee or a
     transferee of an Option shall have no rights as a
     stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option
     until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate to him
     for such shares.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends
     (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or
     other property) or distribution of other rights for which
     the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate
     is issued, except as provided in Section 8(i) hereof.

               (k)  OTHER PROVISIONS.  The Option Agreements
     authorized under the Plan shall contain such other
     provisions, including, without limitation, (i) the granting
     of Rights, (ii) the imposition of restrictions upon the
     exercise of an Option, and (iii) in the case of an Incentive
     Stock Option, the inclusion of any condition not
     inconsistent with such Option qualifying as an Incentive
     Stock Option, as the Committee shall deem advisable.


     9.   Stock Appreciation Rights.

               (a)  Grant and Exercise.  In the case of a
     Nonqualified Stock Option, Related Rights may be granted
     either at or after the time of the grant of such Option.  In
     the case of an Incentive Stock Option, Related Rights may be
     granted only at the time of the grant of the Incentive Stock
     Option.

               A Related Right or applicable portion thereof
     granted with respect to a given Option shall terminate and
     no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of
     the related Option, except that, unless otherwise provided
     by the Committee at the time of grant, a Related Right
     granted with respect to less than the full number of shares
     covered by a related Option shall only be reduced if and to
     the extent that the number of shares covered by the exercise
     or termination of the related Option exceeds the number of
     shares not covered by the Right.


     10



               A Related Right may be exercised by an Optionee,
     in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section 9, by
     surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option. 
     Upon such exercise and surrender, the Optionee shall be
     entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner
     prescribed in paragraph (b) of this Section 9.  Options
     which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall
     no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights
     have been exercised.

               (b)  Terms and Conditions.  Rights shall be
     subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
     the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time
     to time by the Committee and as evidenced by a written
     Option Agreement between the Company and the Optionee,
     including the following:

                    (1)  Related Rights shall be exercisable only
     at such time or times and to the extent that the Options to
     which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with
     the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and this Section 9 of the
     Plan; provided, however, that any Related Right shall not be
     exercisable during the first six (6) months of the term of
     the Related Right, except that this additional limitation
     shall not apply in the event of death of the Optionee prior
     to the expiration of the six (6) month period.

                    (2)  Upon the exercise of a Related Right, an
     Optionee shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more
     than, an amount in cash or shares of Common Stock equal in
     value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one
     (1) share of Common Stock over the option price per share
     specified in the related Option multiplied by the number of
     shares in respect of which the Related Right shall have been
     exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine
     the form of payment.

                    (3)  Related Rights shall be transferable
     only when and to the extent that the underlying Option would
     be transferable under paragraph (h) of Section 8 of the
     Plan.

                    (4)  A Related Right granted in connection
     with an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only if and
     when the market price of the Common Stock subject to the
     Incentive Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such
     Option.


     11



                    (5)  Free Standing Rights shall be
     exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms
     and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at or
     after grant; provided, however, that Free Standing Rights
     shall not be exercisable during the first (6) six months of
     the term of the Free Standing Right, except that this
     limitation shall not apply in the event of death of the
     recipient of the Free Standing Right prior to the expiration
     of the six-month period.

                    (6)  The term of each Free Standing Right
     shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Free Standing Right
     shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date
     such right is granted.

                    (7)  Upon the exercise of a Free Standing
     Right, a recipient shall be entitled to receive up to, but
     not more than, an amount in cash or shares of Common Stock
     equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one
     share of Common Stock over the price per share specified in
     the Free Standing Right (which shall be no less than one
     hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the
     Common Stock on the date of grant) multiplied by the number
     of shares in respect of which the right is being exercised,
     with the Committee having the right to determine the form of
     payment.

                    (8)  No Free Standing Right shall be
     transferable by the recipient otherwise than by will or by
     the laws of descent and distribution, and all such rights
     shall be exercisable, during the recipient's lifetime, only
     by the recipient or his legal guardian or legal
     representative.

                    (9)  In the event of the termination of
     employment of a recipient of a Free Standing Right, such
     right shall be exercisable to the same extent that an Option
     would have been exercisable in the event of the termination
     of employment of an Optionee.


     10.  Agreement by Optionee Regarding Withholding Taxes.

               If the Committee shall so require, as a condition
     of exercise, each Optionee shall agree that:

               (a) no later than the date of exercise of any
     Option or Right granted hereunder, the Optionee will pay to


     12



     the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the
     Committee regarding payment of any federal, state or local
     taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the
     exercise of such Option or Right (any such tax, a
     "Withholding Tax"); and

               (b) the Company shall, to the extent permitted or
     required by law, have the right to deduct any Withholding
     Tax from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
     Optionee.

     11.  Gross-Up for Excise Tax.

               An Option Agreement may provide that in the event
     that an Optionee becomes entitled by reason of a Change of
     Control to the accelerated vesting of an Option, if such
     Optionee will be subject to the excise tax (the "Excise
     Tax") under Section 4999 of the Code, the Company shall pay
     to such Optionee as additional compensation an amount (the
     "Gross-Up Payment") which, after taking into account any
     federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the
     payment provided for by this Section 10, shall be equal to
     the amount of such Excise Tax.  For purposes of determining
     whether an Optionee will be subject to the Excise Tax and
     the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) any other payments or
     benefits received or to be received by such Optionee in
     connection with a Change in Control of the Company or the
     Optionee's termination of employment (whether pursuant to
     the terms of the Option Agreement or any other plan,
     arrangement or agreement with the Company, any entity whose
     actions result in a Change in Control of the Company or any
     entity affiliated with the Company or such entity) shall be
     treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of
     Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess parachute
     payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the
     Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless
     in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company's
     independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the
     Optionee such other payments or benefits (in whole or in
     part) do not constitute parachute payments, including by
     reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, or such excess
     parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent
     reasonable compensation for services actually rendered,
     within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, or
     are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, (ii) the amount
     of payments or benefits treated as subject to the Excise Tax
     shall be equal to the lesser of (A) the total amount of
     payments or benefits conferred on such Optionee by reason of



     13



     the Change of Control or (B) the amount of excess parachute
     payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the
     Code (after applying clause (i), above), and (iii) the value
     of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit
     shall be determined by the Company's independent auditors in
     accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and
     (4) of the Code.  For purposes of determining the amount of
     the Gross-Up Payment, the Optionee shall be deemed to pay
     federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal
     income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up
     Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at
     the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and
     locality of the Optionee's residence on the date on which
     the Excise Tax is incurred, net of the maximum reduction in
     federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction
     of such state and local taxes.  In the event that the Excise
     Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount
     taken into account hereunder, the Optionee shall repay to
     the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction
     in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
     Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that
     portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the Excise
     Tax and federal, state and local income tax deduction) plus
     interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate
     provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.  In the event
     that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken
     into account hereunder (including by reason of any payment
     the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the
     time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall make an
     additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess (plus
     any interest, penalties or additions payable by the Optionee
     with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of
     such excess finally is determined.  The Optionee and the
     Company each shall reasonably cooperate with the other in
     connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings
     concerning the existence or amount of liability for Excise
     Tax.


     12.   Termination and Amendment.

               Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been
     terminated as hereinafter provided, the Plan shall terminate
     on, and no Option or Right shall be granted after, February,
     2004.  The Plan may be terminated, modified or amended by
     the shareholders of the Company.  The Board may at any time
     terminate, modify or amend the Plan in such respects as it
     shall deem advisable; provided, however, that the Board may


     14



     not, without approval by the holders of a majority of the
     voting shares of the Company:

               (i) increase (except as provided in Section 8(i)
          hereof) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as
          to which Options or Rights may be granted under the
          Plan;

              (ii) change the class of employees eligible to
          receive Options or Rights; or

             (iii) adopt any other amendments to the Plan that
          are considered material for purposes of Rule 16b-3(b)
          under the Exchange Act.

     No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may,
     without the consent of the employee to whom any Option or
     Right shall theretofore have been granted, adversely affect
     the rights of such employee or his or her transferee (as
     provided herein) under such Option or Right.


     13.   Effectiveness; Approval of Stockholders.

               The Plan shall take effect upon its adoption by
     the Board of Directors, but its effectiveness and the
     exercise of any Options or Rights shall be subject to the
     approval of the holders of a majority of the voting shares
     of the Company, which approval must occur within twelve
     (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.


     14.  Effect of Headings.

               The section and subsection heading contained
     herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
     construction hereof.


 



                                                      EXHIBIT 4.2

                        STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

               THIS AGREEMENT dated as of the [insert grant date]
     between National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc., a
     Delaware corporation (the "Company") and [insert employee
     name] (the "Employee").

                          W I T N E S S E T H

               In consideration of the mutual promises and
     covenants made herein and the mutual benefits to be derived
     herefrom, the parties hereto agree as follows:

               1.   Grant of Options.

                    Subject to the provisions of this Agreement
     and to the provisions of the National Health Laboratories
     Incorporated 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), the
     Company hereby grants to the Employee the right and option
     (the "Option") to purchase all or any part of the number of
     shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common
     Stock") of the Company, set forth on Schedule A attached
     hereto at the price per share and on the other terms set
     forth on Schedule A.

               2.   Exercisability of Options.

                    All of the shares subject to the Options may
     be purchased by Employee pursuant to exercise of the Options
     on or after [insert grant date], subject to the prior
     expiration or sooner termination of the Options provided,
     however, that Options may not be exercised at any one time
     as to fewer than 100 shares (or such number of shares as to
     which the Options are then exercisable if such number of
     shares is less than 100).

               3.   Method of Exercise of the Options.

                    (a)  The Options as to which the Employee is
     vested shall be exercisable by delivery to the Company of a
     written notice stating the number of shares to be purchased
     pursuant to this Agreement and accompanied by payment for
     the full purchase price of the shares to be purchased. 
     Fractional share interests shall be disregarded except that
     they may be accumulated.

                    (b)  The exercise price shall be paid in cash
     or by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of
     the Company, or by exchange of Common Stock of the Company



     2



     having an aggregate fair market value equal to the
     aggregate exercise price, or by a combination of the
     foregoing.

               4.   Termination of Employment.

                    Except as provided in Paragraph 4 and in
     Paragraph 5 hereof, Options may not be exercised unless the
     Employee is then in the employ of (i) the Company, (ii) an
     affiliated corporation or (iii) a corporation issuing or
     assuming the Options in a transaction to which Section 424
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 applies or a parent
     corporation or subsidiary corporation of the corporation
     described in this clause (iii), and unless the Employee has
     remained continuously so employed since the date of grant of
     the Options.  In the event that the employment of the
     Employee shall terminate (other than by reason of death,
     disability or retirement), all Options of such Employee that
     are exercisable at the time of such termination may, unless
     earlier terminated in accordance with their terms, be
     exercised within three (3) months after such termination. 
     Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the
     Employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company
     or any of its affiliate corporations or interfere in any way
     with the right of the Company of any such affiliate
     corporation to terminate such employment at any time.

          5.   Acceleration of Benefits Upon Death, Disability or
               Retirement of Employee or Change in Control.

                    If (i) Employee shall die while employed by
     the Company or an affiliate corporation thereof, (ii) the
     Employee shall die within three (3) months after the
     termination of the Employee's employment, (iii) the
     Employee's employment shall terminate by reason of
     Disability or Retirement (as defined in the Plan) or (iv)
     there is a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), all
     Options granted pursuant to this Agreement which are vested
     and which have not been exercised may, unless earlier
     terminated in accordance with their terms, be exercised by
     the Employee or by the Employee's estate or by a person who
     acquired the right to exercise such Options by bequest or
     inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death or
     disability of the Employee, at any time within one (1) year
     after the date of Death, Disability or Retirement of the
     Employee or the Change in Control.

               6.   Nontransferability of Options.

                    The Options are non-transferrable by the
     Employee other than by will or the laws of descent and
     distribution, and Options may be exercised, during the

      
     3



     lifetime of the Employee, only by the Employee or by his
     guardian or legal representative.

               7.   Effect of Certain Changes.

                    (a)  If there is any change in the number of
     outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock
     dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination,
     exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation,
     split-up, spin-off or other similar change in
     capitalization, any distribution to common shareholders,
     including a rights offering, other than cash in dividends,
     or any like change, the number of shares covered by
     outstanding Options granted pursuant to this Agreement, and
     the price per share of such Options, shall be
     proportionately adjusted by the Stock Options Plan
     Administration Committee (the "Committee") to reflect any
     such change or distributing provided, however, that any
     fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be
     eliminated.

                    (b)  In the event of a change in the Common
     Stock of the Company as presently constituted, which is
     limited to a change of all of its authorized shares with par
     value into the same number of shares with a different par
     value or without par value, the shares resulting from any
     such change shall be deemed to be Common Stock within the
     meaning of this Agreement and the Plan.

                    (c)  To the extent that the foregoing
     adjustments relate to stock or securities of the Company,
     such adjustments shall be made by the Committee, whose
     determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
     conclusive.

               8.   Rights As a Stockholder.

                    An Employee or a transferee of Options shall
     have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares
     covered by such Options until the date of the issuance of a
     stock certificate to such individual for such shares.  No
     adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or
     extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other
     property) or distribution of other rights for which the
     record date is prior to the date a stock certificate is
     issued, except as provided in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement.

          9.   Payment of Transfer Taxes, Fees, and Other
               Expenses.

                    The Company agrees to pay any and all
     original issue taxes and stock transfer taxes that may be
     imposed on the issuance of shares acquired pursuant to
     exercise of the Options, together with any and all the fees



     4



     and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in
     connection therewith.

               10.  Other Restrictions.

                    The exercise of each Option shall be subject
     to the requirement that, if at any time the Committee shall
     determine that (i) the listing, registration or
     qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject or
     related thereto upon any securities exchange or under any
     state or federal law, or (ii) the consent or approval of any
     government regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement by the
     Employee with respect to the disposition of shares of Common
     Stock, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in
     connection with, such exercise or the delivery or purchase
     of shares pursuant thereto, then in any such event, such
     exercise shall not be effective unless such listing,
     registration, qualification, consent, approval or agreement
     shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions
     not acceptable to the Committee.

               11.  Taxes and Withholding.

                    No later than the date of exercise of any
     Options granted hereunder, the Employee shall pay to the
     Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee
     regarding payment of any federal, state or local taxes of
     any kind required by law to be withheld upon the exercise of
     such Options and the Company shall, to the extent permitted
     or required by law, have the right to deduct from any
     payment of any kind otherwise due to the Employee, federal,
     state and local taxes of any kind required by law to be
     withheld upon the exercise of such Options.

               12.  Notices.

                    Any notices to be given under the terms of
     this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the
     Company at 4225 Executive Square, Suite 805, La Jolla,
     California 92037, Attention:  General Counsel and to the
     Employee at the address set forth on Schedule A, or at such
     other address as either party may hereafter designate in
     writing to the other.

               13.  Effect of Agreement.

                    Except as otherwise provided hereunder, this
     Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
     benefit of any successor or successors of the Company.

               14.  Laws Applicable to Construction.

                    The Options have been granted, executed and
     delivered in the State of New York, and the interpretation,

      
     5



     performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be
     governed by the laws of the State of New York, as applied to
     contracts executed in and performed wholly within the State
     of New York.

               15.  Conflicts and Interpretation.

                    If there is any conflict between this
     Agreement and the Plan, or if there is any ambiguity in this
     Agreement, any term which is not defined in this Agreement,
     or any matter as to which this Agreement is silent in, any
     such case the Plan shall govern including, without
     limitation, the provisions thereof pursuant to which the
     Committee has the power, among others, to (i) interpret the
     Plan, (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
     regulations relating to the Plan and (iii) make all other
     determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
     administration of the Plan.

               16.  Headings.

                    The headings of paragraphs herein are
     included solely for convenience of reference and shall not
     affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the
     provisions of this Agreement.

               17.  Amendment.

                    This Agreement may not be modified, amended
     or waived in any manner except by an instrument in writing
     signed by both parties hereto.  The waiver by either party
     of compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not
     operate or be continued as a waiver of any other provision
     of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party
     of a provision of this Agreement.

          [Item 18 "Gross-Up for Excise Tax" may be included
          in the option agreement at the election of the
          Company.]

               18.  Gross-Up for Excise Tax.

                    In the event that the Employee becomes
     entitled by reason of a Change in Control to the accelerated
     vesting of the Option, if the Employee will be subject to
     the excise tax (the "Excise Tax") under Section 4999 of the
     Code, the Company shall pay to the Employee as additional
     compensation an amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") which, after
     taking into account any Federal, state and local income tax
     and Excise Tax upon the payment provided for by this
     Section 18, shall be equal to the amount of such Excise Tax

     6



     as calculated under the Plan, and subject to adjustment
     under procedures described in the Plan.


                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused
     this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly
     authorized officer and the Employee has hereunto set his
     hand.



                              NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES 
                                      HOLDINGS INC.



                              By:  
                                   ------------------------------
                              Title: 
                                     ----------------------------
     EMPLOYEE


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



     7



                 Schedule A to Stock Option Agreement


     Employee Name & Address:

          [         ]
          [         ] 
          [         ] 

     Employee Social Security Number:

          [         ]


     Number and Type of Options:

          [         ] non-qualified options


     Exercise Price:

          $[   ] per share


     Vesting:

          1/3 on [         ]; 2/3 on [      ]; 100% on [       ]


     Expiration of Options:

          [         ]


 


                                                        EXHIBIT 5



     NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC.
     4225 EXECUTIVE SQUARE
     SUITE 805
     LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA  92037


     August 12, 1994


     National Health Laboratories
       Holdings Inc.
     4225 Executive Square Suite 805
     La Jolla, California  92037


     Dear Sirs:

     This opinion is being rendered in connection with the
     registration by National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.,
     a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 3,000,000 shares of
     common stock, $.0l par value (the "Shares"), of the Company,
     which may be issued from time to time under National Health
     Laboratories Incorporated's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the
     "Plan").  In that connection, I or members of my staff under
     my supervision have examined such corporate records,
     certificates and other documents as I have considered
     necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this
     opinion.  In such examination, we have assumed the
     genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all
     documents submitted as originals and the conformity to the
     originals of all documents submitted as copies.

     I am admitted to the Bar of the States of Illinois and
     Indiana and I express no opinion as to the laws of any other
     jurisdiction except the General Corporation Law of the State
     of Delaware.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion
     that the Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with
     the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

     This opinion is being rendered solely in connection with the
     registration of the Shares under the Act and may not be
     used, circulated, quoted, relied upon or otherwise referred
     to for any other purpose without my express written consent. 
     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit

     2



     to the Company's registration statement on Form S-8
     registering the Shares.

     Very Truly Yours,


     /s/ James G. Richmond
     ------------------------------
     James G. Richmond
     Executive Vice President
     and General Counsel



 


                                                     EXHIBIT 23.1



                            [Letterhead of]

                           KPMG PEAT MARWICK


                     Independent Auditors' Consent



     The Board of Directors
     National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc.:


     We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration
     statement on Form S-8 of National Health Laboratories
     Holdings Inc. of our report dated February 10, 1994,
     relating to the consolidated balance sheets of National
     Health Laboratories Incorporated and subsidiaries as of
     December 31, 1993 and 1992, and the related consolidated
     statements of earnings, retained earnings, and cash flows
     for each of the years in the three-year period ended
     December 31, 1993, and related schedule, which report
     appears in the December 31, 1993, annual report on Form 10-K
     of National Health Laboratories Incorporated.


                                             /s/KPMG Peat Marwick


     San Diego, California
     August 8, 1994



 


                                                       EXHIBIT 24



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\Ronald O. Perelman
                                   -----------------------------
                                   RONALD O. PERELMAN




     2



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 21st day of July 1994.



                                   \s\Saul J. Farber, M.D.
                                   ------------------------------
                                   SAUL J. FARBER, M.D.


     3



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\Howard Gittis
                                   ------------------------------
                                   HOWARD GITTIS



     4



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\Ann Dibble Jordan
                                   ------------------------------
                                   ANN DIBBLE JORDAN



     5



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\James R. Maher
                                   ------------------------------
                                   JAMES R. MAHER



     6



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 28th day of July 1994.



                                   \s\David J. Mahoney
                                   ------------------------------
                                   DAVID J. MAHONEY



     7



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 21st day of July 1994.



                                   \s\Paul A. Marks
                                   ------------------------------
                                   PAUL A. MARKS



     8



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\Linda Gosden Robinson
                                   ------------------------------
                                   LINDA GOSDEN ROBINSON



     9



                           POWER OF ATTORNEY


               KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
     undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of David C.
     Flaugh, Glenn P. Dickes and Joram C. Salig or any of them,
     each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
     agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in
     connection with the National Health Laboratories Holdings
     Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, to sign the Registration
     Statement in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on
     behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer of the
     Corporation, and any amendments (including post-effective
     amendments) to the Registration Statement and any
     instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
     connection with the Registration Statement or amendments
     thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
     and other documents in connection therewith, including this
     power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
     securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said
     attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power
     and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
     requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
     premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might
     or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
     that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
     or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed
     these presents this 12th day of August 1994.



                                   \s\Samuel O. Thier, M.D.
                                   ------------------------------
                                   SAMUEL O. THIER, M.D.