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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus dated September 7, 2001
of Ashland Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (Ashland) and to the incorporation
by reference therein of our report dated November 1, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Ashland, included in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended by Form 10-K/A, amendment No.1) for the
year ended September 30, 2000.

                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
September 5, 2001


