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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.45

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                          PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

          THIS PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of February 24, 2004 (as
the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, the "Security Agreement"), is entered into by and among ROTO-ROOTER,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Subsidiaries of the Borrower
set forth on the signature pages hereto (together with the Borrower, the
"Initial Grantors"), those additional Subsidiaries of the Borrower, whether now
existing or hereafter formed, which become parties to this Security Agreement by
executing a supplement hereto (a "Security Agreement Supplement") in
substantially the form of Annex I hereto (such additional Subsidiaries, together
with the Initial Grantors, the "Grantors"), and BANK ONE, NA, a national banking
association having its principal office in Chicago, Illinois, in its capacity as
Collateral Agent (the "Collateral Agent") under the Intercreditor Agreement (as
defined below).

                              PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain financial institutions (the "Lenders"),
and Bank One, NA (Main Office Chicago), as Administrative Agent (the
"Administrative Agent"), have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of
February 24, 2004 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Existing Credit Agreement", and
together with the other "Loan Documents" as defined therein, the "Bank Group
Documents");

          WHEREAS, the Grantors (other than the Borrower) shall guaranty the
Borrower's obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement and the agreements,
documents and instruments delivered in connection therewith pursuant to a
Guaranty Agreement dated as of February 24, 2004 (as the same may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Existing
Credit Agreement Guaranty");

          WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into an Indenture, dated as of
February 24, 2004 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Note Indenture") pursuant to which
the Borrower has issued, in an initial aggregate principal amount equal to
$110,000,000, certain Floating Rate Senior Secured Notes due 2010 (as the same
may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
the "Senior Secured Notes" and together with (i) the exchange notes issued in
exchange therefor as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement dated as
of February 24, 2004, among the Borrower, the other Grantors and the
"Purchasers" (as defined therein) and (ii) any additional notes issued under the
Note Indenture by the Borrower, to the extent permitted by the Note Indenture
and the Existing Credit Agreement, the "Notes"), and pursuant to which the
Grantors (other than the Borrower) shall guaranty the Borrower's obligations
under the Note

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Indenture, the Notes and the agreements, documents and instruments delivered in
connection therewith;

          WHEREAS, the Grantors wish to secure, on an equal and ratable basis,
their respective obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement, the Note
Indenture, the Notes and the agreements, documents and instruments delivered in
connection therewith and certain other obligations, including, without
limitation, the Existing Credit Agreement Guaranty (collectively, as the same
may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
together with the "Senior Loan Documents" and the "Noteholder Documents" (as
each is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), the "Roto-Rooter Credit
Documents"), pursuant to this Security Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, in accordance with the Collateral Sharing Agreement, dated as
of February 24, 2004, by and among the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee")
for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, the Collateral Agent and the
Borrower (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Intercreditor Agreement"), the Administrative
Agent on behalf of the Lenders and the Trustee on behalf of the holders of the
Notes (collectively, together with the other "Secured Parties" (as defined in
the Intercreditor Agreement) the "Roto-Rooter Creditors") have appointed the
Collateral Agent to be the beneficiary of the Liens granted hereunder;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Grantors and the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the
Roto-Rooter Creditors, hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

          1.1. TERMS DEFINED IN NEW YORK UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE. Terms defined
in the New York UCC which are not otherwise defined in this Security Agreement
are used herein as defined in the New York UCC.

          1.2. DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS USED HEREIN. As used in this
Security Agreement, in addition to the terms defined in the Preliminary
Statement, the following terms shall have the following meanings. Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the
Intercreditor Agreement.

          "Accounts" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New
York UCC.

          "Applicable Pledge Percentage" means 100%, but (x) 65% in the case of
a pledge of capital stock of a Foreign Subsidiary or (y) 0% in the case of a
pledge of capital stock of a Foreign Subsidiary to the extent a pledge would
cause a Financial Assistance Problem.

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          "ARTICLE" means a numbered article of this Security Agreement, unless
another document is specifically referenced.

          "CHATTEL PAPER" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the
New York UCC.

          "CHEMED CAPITAL TRUST" means Chemed Capital Trust, a Delaware
statutory business trust and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, together
with its permitted successors and assigns.

          "COLLATERAL" means all Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort
Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Equipment, General Intangibles, Goods,
Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter-Of-Credit Rights, Letters of
Credit, Pledged Deposits and Supporting Obligations with respect to the
foregoing, wherever located in which any Grantor now has or hereafter acquires
any right or interest, and the proceeds (including Stock Rights), insurance
proceeds and products thereof, together with all books and records, customer
lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts and other computer
materials and records related thereto, any cash or cash equivalents to the
extent deposited into the Special Letter of Credit Cash Collateral Account to
collateralize Letters of Credit issued under the Existing Credit Agreement;
provided that such amounts deposited into the Special Letter of Credit Cash
Collateral Account shall only be applied to satisfy LC Obligations owing under
and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement until such time as all such
Letters of Credit giving rise to LC Obligations expire or are terminated and all
amounts owing as a result of draws under such Letters of Credit have been
satisfied). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral shall not include (a)
any property to the extent that such grant of a security interest is prohibited
by any law of a Governmental Authority, requires a consent not obtained of any
Governmental Authority pursuant to such law or is prohibited by, or constitutes
a breach or default under, or gives rise to a right on the part of the parties
thereto other than a Grantor to terminate (or to materially modify), or requires
any consent not obtained under, any contract, lease, license, agreement,
instrument or other document or, in the case of any Investment Property, any
applicable shareholder or similar agreement, except to the extent that such law
or the term in such contract, lease, license, agreement, instrument or other
document or shareholder or similar agreement providing for such prohibition,
breach, default or right of termination or modification or requiring such
consent is ineffective under applicable law, or (b) Excluded Equity Interests.

          "COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS" means all rights and interests in and to any
commercial tort claims which are listed on Exhibit "C" hereto or which are
listed on a Supplement to such Exhibit.

          "CONTROL" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 8 or, if
applicable, in Section 9-104, 9-105, 9-106 or 9-107 of Article 9 of the New York
UCC.

          "DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of
the New York UCC.

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          "DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of any Person organized
under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.

          "DOCUMENTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New
York UCC.

          "EQUIPMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New
York UCC.

          "EXCLUDED EQUITY INTERESTS" means (i) equity interests in Roto-Rooter
of Canada, Ltd., Chemed Capital Trust and VNF, (ii) more than 40% of the equity
interests of RR Plumbing Services Corporation, (iii) more than 49% of the equity
interests of Complete Plumbing Services, Inc., (iv) more than 80% of the equity
interest of Nurotoco of New Jersey, Inc., (v) more than the Applicable Pledge
Percentage of any Foreign Subsidiary, and (vi) equity interests in any Foreign
Subsidiary other than a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary.

          "EXHIBIT" refers to a specific exhibit to this Security Agreement (as
supplemented from time to time), unless another document is specifically
referenced.

          "FACILITY LCs" shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing Credit
Agreement.

          "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROBLEM" means, with respect to any Foreign
Subsidiary, the inability of such Foreign Subsidiary to permit its assets from
being pledged pursuant to a pledge or security agreement on account of legal or
financial limitations imposed by the jurisdiction of organization of such
Foreign Subsidiary or other relevant jurisdictions having authority over such
Foreign Subsidiary, in each case as determined by the Borrower in its
commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with
its legal and tax advisors.

          "FIRST TIER FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY" means each Foreign Subsidiary with
respect to which any one or more of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries
directly owns more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiary's issued and outstanding
ordinary equity interests.

          "FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of any Person which is not a
Domestic Subsidiary of such Person.

          "GENERAL INTANGIBLES" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of
the New York UCC.

          "GOODS" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New York
UCC.

          "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any nation or government, any foreign,
federal, state, local or other political subdivision thereof and any entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative
functions of or pertaining to government.

          "INSTRUMENTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New
York UCC.

          "INVENTORY" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the New
York UCC.

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          "INVESTMENT PROPERTY" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of
the New York UCC.

          "LC ISSUER" shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing Credit
Agreement.

          "LC OBLIGATIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in the Existing
Credit Agreement.

          "LETTER-OF-CREDIT RIGHTS" shall have the meaning set forth in Article
9 of the New York UCC.

          "LETTERS OF CREDIT" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 5 of
the New York UCC.

          "LIEN" means any lien (statutory or other), security interest,
mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, or encumbrance
of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of
a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale, capitalized lease or other title
retention agreement, and, in the case of stock agreements, any purchase option,
call or similar right of a Person with respect to such stock).

          "NEW YORK UCC" means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
from time to time.

          "OBLIGATIONS" means "Secured Obligations" as defined in the
Intercreditor Agreement.

          "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, firm, enterprise,
partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture,
joint stock company, limited liability company or other entity of any kind, or
any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or
instrumentality thereof.

          "PLEDGED DEPOSITS" means all time deposits of money (other than
Deposit Accounts and Instruments), whether or not evidenced by certificates,
which a Grantor may from time to time designate as pledged to the Collateral
Agent or to any Roto-Rooter Creditor as security for any Obligation, and all
rights to receive interest on said deposits.

          "RECEIVABLES" means the Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Investment
Property, Instruments or Pledged Deposits, and any other rights or claims to
receive money which are General Intangibles or which are otherwise included as
Collateral.

          "RELEVANT DATE" means (i) in respect of the Initial Grantors, the date
of this Security Agreement and (ii) in respect any Grantor that becomes a party
to this Security Agreement pursuant to the execution of a Security Agreement
Supplement, the date of such Security Agreement Supplement.

          "REQUISITE LENDERS" means the "Instructing Group" as defined in the
Intercreditor Agreement.

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          "ROTO-ROOTER DEFAULT" means (i) any "Event of Default" under and as
defined in the Existing Credit Agreement and (ii) any "Event of Default" under
and as defined in the Note Indenture.

          "SECTION" means a numbered section of this Security Agreement, unless
another document is specifically referenced.

          "SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in Article 8 of the New York UCC.

          "STOCK RIGHTS" means any securities, dividends or other distributions
and any other right or property which any Grantor shall receive or shall become
entitled to receive for any reason whatsoever with respect to, in substitution
for or in exchange for any securities or other ownership interests in a
corporation, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company
constituting Collateral and any securities, any right to receive securities and
any right to receive earnings, in which any Grantor now has or hereafter
acquires any right, issued by an issuer of such securities.

          "SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means (i) any corporation of which more than
50% of the outstanding securities having ordinary voting power shall at the time
be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more
of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or
(ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or
similar business organization of which more than 50% of the ownership interests
having ordinary voting power shall at the time be so owned or controlled. Unless
otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a "Subsidiary" means a
Subsidiary of the Borrower, including, without limitation, the Target.

          "SUPPORTING OBLIGATION" shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9
of the New York UCC.

          "TARGET" means Vitas Healthcare Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

          "VNF" means Vitas of North Florida, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Target.

          The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the
singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

                                   ARTICLE II

                           GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

          Each of the Grantors hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the
Collateral Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Roto-Rooter
Creditors, a security interest in all of such Grantor's right, title and
interest in and to (i) all capital stock or other equity interests held or owned
by such Grantor (other than Excluded Equity Interests, directors' qualifying
shares or shares issued to third parties to the extent necessary to satisfy any
licensing requirements under applicable law with respect to such Grantor's
business) and

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(ii) all other Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure
the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          Each of the Initial Grantors represents and warrants to the Collateral
Agent and the Roto-Rooter Creditors and each Grantor that becomes a party to
this Security Agreement pursuant to the execution of a Security Agreement
Supplement represents and warrants (after giving effect to supplements to each
of the Exhibits hereto with respect to such subsequent Grantor as attached to
such Security Agreement Supplement), that:

          3.1. TITLE, AUTHORIZATION, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY. Such Grantor
has good and valid rights in or the power to transfer the Collateral owned by it
and title to the Collateral owned by it with respect to which it has purported
to grant a security interest hereunder, free and clear of all Liens except for
Liens permitted under Section 4.1.6, and has full power and authority to grant
to the Collateral Agent the security interest in such Collateral pursuant
hereto. The execution and delivery by such Grantor of this Security Agreement
has been duly authorized by proper corporate or other proceedings, and this
Security Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Grantor and creates a security interest which is enforceable against such
Grantor in all Collateral it now owns or hereafter acquires, except as
enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyances, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles
(whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) requirements
of reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing. As of the Relevant Date for such
Grantor and to the extent governed by the New York UCC, when UCC financing
statements have been filed in the appropriate offices against such Grantor in
the locations listed on Exhibit "F", the Collateral Agent will have a fully
perfected first priority security interest in that Collateral owned by such
Grantor in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, subject only to
Liens permitted under Section 4.1.5.

          3.2. [RESERVED].

          3.3. TYPE AND JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION. As of the Relevant Date
for such Grantor, such Grantor's exact legal name and jurisdiction of
incorporation, organization or formation (as the case may be) are set forth in
Exhibit "A".

          3.4. PRINCIPAL LOCATION. As of the Relevant Date for such Grantor,
such Grantor's mailing address and the location of its place of business (if it
has only one) or its chief executive office (if it has more than one place of
business), is set forth in Exhibit "A". Such Grantor has no other places of
business except those set forth in Exhibit "A".

          3.5. PROPERTY LOCATIONS. As of the Relevant Date for such Grantor, the
Inventory and Equipment of such

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Grantor are located solely at the locations of such Grantor described in Exhibit
"A" except to the extent that such Inventory or Equipment, as the case may be,
is in transit, has been sold in accordance with the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents
or is immaterial to the business of such Grantor. All of said locations are
owned by such Grantor except for locations (i) which are leased by such Grantor
as lessee and designated in Part B of Exhibit "A" and (ii) at which Inventory is
held in a public warehouse or is otherwise held by a bailee or on consignment as
designated in Part C of Exhibit "A".

          3.6. NO OTHER NAMES. As of the Relevant Date for such Grantor, except
as described in Part D of Exhibit A, such Grantor has not conducted business
under any name (except immaterial fictitious tradenames) within the past five
(5) years except the name in which it has executed this Security Agreement,
which is the exact name as it appears in such Grantor's organizational
documents, as amended, as filed with such Grantor's jurisdiction of
organization.

          3.7. [RESERVED].

          3.8. FILING REQUIREMENTS. As of the Relevant Date for such Grantor,
none of the Collateral owned by such Grantor is of a type for which security
interests or liens may be perfected by filing under any federal statute except
for those patents, trademarks and copyrights held by any Grantor that are
described in Exhibit "B" and Collateral owned by such Grantor in which security
interests or liens can only be perfected through compliance with the terms of
the Federal Assignment of Claims Act.

          3.9. NO FINANCING STATEMENTS. No financing statement describing all or
any portion of the Collateral which has not lapsed or been terminated naming
such Grantor as debtor has been filed in any jurisdiction except (i) financing
statements naming the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Roto-Rooter Creditors as
the secured party, (ii) as described in Exhibit "D", (iii) as permitted by
Section 4.1.5 or (iv) financing statements not authorized by such Grantor or
that relate to Liens that have been released.

          3.10. FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER; STATE ORGANIZATION
NUMBER. As of the Relevant Date for such Grantor, such Grantor's Federal
employer identification number, and if such Grantor is a registered
organization, such Grantor's State organization number, are set forth on Exhibit
"A".

          3.11. PLEDGED SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENT PROPERTY. Exhibit "E"
(or any Supplement to such Exhibit) sets forth a complete and accurate list of
(i) all of the capital stock, ownership interests or membership interests and
the ownership percentages thereof, owned by the Grantors and (ii) the
Instruments, Securities and other Investment Property delivered to the
Collateral Agent pursuant hereto, excluding, however, the Excluded Equity
Interests, which are not required to be delivered hereunder (the "Pledged
Securities"). Each Grantor is the direct and beneficial owner of each
Instrument, Security and other type of Investment Property listed on Exhibit "E"
(or any Supplement to such Exhibit) as being owned by it, free and clear of any
Liens, except for the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the
benefit of the Roto-Rooter Creditors hereunder, Liens permitted under Section
4.1.5 and transfers permitted by the

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Roto-Rooter Credit Documents; provided that the Securities pledged shall not
include the Excluded Equity Interests. Each Grantor further represents and
warrants that:

          3.11.1 All such Instruments, Securities or other types of Investment
     Property owned by it which are shares of stock in a corporation or
     ownership interests in a partnership or limited liability company have been
     (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such Instrument,
     Security or other type of Investment Property) duly and validly issued, are
     fully paid and non-assessable;

          3.11.2 The shares of capital stock, ownership interests or membership
     interests owned by it with respect to a subsidiary of the Borrower set
     forth on Exhibit "E" or on any Supplement to such Exhibit represent the
     aggregate outstanding amount of all of the capital stock, ownership
     interests or membership interests, as applicable, of such subsidiary
     required to be pledged hereunder pursuant to the Roto-Rooter Credit
     Documents and the ownership percentages thereof; and

          3.11.3 With respect to any certificates delivered to the Collateral
     Agent representing an ownership interest in a partnership or limited
     liability company, either such certificates are Securities as defined in
     Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdiction as
     a result of actions by the issuer or otherwise, or, if such certificates
     are not Securities, such Grantor has so informed the Collateral Agent so
     that the Collateral Agent may take steps to perfect its security interest
     therein as a General Intangible.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    COVENANTS

          From the date of this Security Agreement, and thereafter until this
Security Agreement is terminated, each of the Initial Grantors agrees, and from
and after the effective date of any Security Agreement Supplement applicable to
any Grantor (after giving effect to supplements to each of the Exhibits hereto
with respect to such subsequent Grantor as attached to such Security Agreement
Supplement) and thereafter until this Security Agreement is terminated, each
such subsequent Grantor agrees:

          4.1. GENERAL.

          4.1.1 INSPECTION. Each Grantor will permit the Collateral Agent, at
     any time, and upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
     Roto-Rooter Default, any Roto-Rooter Creditor, by its representatives and
     agents (i) to inspect the Collateral, (ii) to examine and make copies of
     the records of such Grantor relating to the Collateral and (iii) to discuss
     the Collateral and the related records of such Grantor with, and to be
     advised as to the same by, such Grantor's officers and employees (and, in
     the case of any Receivable, with any Person or entity

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     which is or may be obligated thereon), all at such reasonable times and
     intervals as the Collateral Agent, at any time, and upon the occurrence and
     during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, such Roto-Rooter Creditor,
     may reasonably determine, and all at such Grantor's expense.

          4.1.2 RECORDS AND REPORTS. Each Grantor shall keep and maintain such
     complete, accurate and proper books and records with respect to the
     Collateral owned by such Grantor as is consistent with its current
     practices and in accordance with such prudent and standard practices used
     in industries that are the same as or similar to those in which such
     Grantor is engaged, and furnish to the Collateral Agent such reports with
     respect to the identity, amount and location of the Collateral as the
     Collateral Agent shall from time to time reasonably request.

          4.1.3 FINANCING STATEMENTS AND OTHER ACTIONS; DEFENSE OF TITLE. Each
     Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file, and if requested
     will deliver to the Collateral Agent, all financing statements describing
     the Collateral owned by such Grantor and other documents and take such
     other actions as may from time to time be reasonably requested by the
     Collateral Agent in order to maintain a first priority perfected security
     interest in and, if applicable, Control of, the Collateral owned by such
     Grantor, subject only to Liens permitted under Section 4.1.5 and transfers
     permitted by the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents. Such financing statements
     may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may
     contain an indication or description of the Collateral that describes the
     property constituting Collateral in any other manner as the Collateral
     Agent may reasonably determine is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure
     that the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to
     the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such
     property as "all assets" or "all personal property whether now owned or
     hereafter acquired" or "all of the debtor's personal property and other
     assets, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising,
     together with all products and proceeds thereof, substitutions and
     replacements therefor, and additions and accessions thereto." Each Grantor
     will take any and all actions necessary to defend title to the Collateral
     owned by such Grantor against all Persons and to defend the security
     interest of the Collateral Agent in such Collateral and the priority
     thereof against any Lien not expressly permitted hereunder. Notwithstanding
     anything to the contrary set forth herein, prior to the occurrence of a
     Roto-Rooter Default and the acceleration of the repayment of the
     Obligations as a result thereof, no Grantor shall be required to grant
     Control of any Deposit Account (or any "Securities Account" as defined in
     Article 8 of the New York UCC) to the Collateral Agent other than Deposit
     Accounts maintained with Bank One, NA or an affiliate thereof; provided,
     that no Grantor shall be required to comply with the terms of the Federal
     Assignment of Claims Act in connection with its pledge of any Collateral to
     the Collateral Agent.

          4.1.4 DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL. No Grantor will sell, lease or
     otherwise dispose of any Collateral owned by it except (i) sales or leases
     of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) proceeds of Inventory
     and Accounts collected in

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     the ordinary course of business and (iii) dispositions not prohibited by
     the Existing Credit Agreement and the Note Indenture unless and until the
     Collateral Agent shall notify the Grantors that a Roto-Rooter Default shall
     have occurred and be continuing and that during the continuance thereof the
     Grantors shall not sell or otherwise dispose of such Collateral.

          4.1.5 LIENS. No Grantor will create, incur, or suffer to exist any
     Lien on any Collateral owned by it except (i) the security interest created
     by this Security Agreement, (ii) existing Liens described in Exhibit "D",
     (iii) other Liens permitted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
     Senior Loan Documents (including Section 6.15 of the Existing Credit
     Agreement) and the applicable provisions of the Note Indenture, (iv)
     filings under any federal statute for patents, trademarks, and copyrights
     and (v) Collateral in which security interests or liens can only be
     perfected through compliance with the terms of the Federal Assignment of
     Claims Act.

          4.1.6 CHANGE IN CORPORATE EXISTENCE, TYPE OR JURISDICTION OF
     ORGANIZATION, LOCATION, NAME. Each Grantor will:

     (i)  not change its jurisdiction of organization;

     (ii) not maintain its place of business (if it has only one) or its chief
          executive office (if it has more than one place of business) at a
          location other than a location specified on Exhibit "A"; and

     (iii) not change its name or taxpayer identification number,

     unless, in each such case, such Grantor shall have given the Collateral
     Agent prior written notice of such event or occurrence and either (x) the
     Collateral Agent shall have reasonably determined that such event or
     occurrence will not adversely affect the validity, perfection or priority
     of the Collateral Agent's security interest in the Collateral, or (y) there
     shall have been taken such steps (with the cooperation of such Grantor to
     the extent necessary or advisable) as are reasonably necessary to properly
     maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the Collateral Agent's
     security interest in the Collateral owned by such Grantor.

          4.1.7 OTHER FINANCING STATEMENTS. No Grantor will sign or authorize
     the signing on its behalf or authorize the filing of any financing
     statement naming it as debtor covering all or any portion of the Collateral
     owned by such Grantor, except any financing statement authorized under
     Section 4.1.3. or any financing statement filed in connection with a Lien
     permitted under Section 4.1.5.

     4.2. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS ON RECEIVABLES. Without the Collateral Agent's
consent, no Grantor will make or agree to make any discount, credit, rebate or
other reduction in the original amount owing on a Receivable or accept in
satisfaction of a Receivable less than the original amount thereof, except in
the ordinary course of business.

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     4.3. INSTRUMENTS, SECURITIES, DOCUMENTS AND PLEDGED DEPOSITS. Each Grantor
will (i) hold in trust for the Collateral Agent upon receipt and promptly
thereafter deliver to the Collateral Agent any Security or Instrument
constituting Collateral with a value in excess of $1,000,000, (ii) upon the
designation of any Pledged Deposits, deliver to the Collateral Agent such
Pledged Deposits which are evidenced by certificates included in the Collateral
endorsed in blank, marked with such legends and assigned as the Collateral Agent
shall specify, and (iii) upon the Collateral Agent's request, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, deliver to the
Collateral Agent (and thereafter hold in trust for the Collateral Agent upon
receipt and promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent) any Document evidencing or
constituting Collateral.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Security Agreement, so long as
no Roto-Rooter Default has occurred and is continuing, any promissory notes
(such notes described in clauses (i) and (ii) below being referred to herein as
"Employee Notes") (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $500,000,
made to any Grantor by any of its officers, directors or employees in connection
with compensation arrangements approved by a majority of the disinterested
directors on its board of directors (or a committee thereof) or (ii) permitted
in accordance with the terms of the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents (A) shall not
be required to be delivered to Collateral Agent and (B) may be modified,
replaced, terminated or forgiven, in whole or in part, from time to time (but
not sold or otherwise transferred to any other Person) upon the approval of a
majority of the disinterested directors of the board of directors of such
Grantor without further approval of the Collateral Agent or the Roto- Rooter
Creditors.

     4.4. UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES AND CERTAIN OTHER INVESTMENT PROPERTY. Each
Grantor will permit the Collateral Agent from time to time to cause the
appropriate issuers (and, if held with a securities intermediary, such
securities intermediary) of uncertificated securities or other types of
Investment Property not represented by certificates which are Collateral owned
by such Grantor to mark their books and records with the numbers and face
amounts of all such uncertificated securities or other types of Investment
Property not represented by certificates and all rollovers and replacements
therefor to reflect the Lien of the Collateral Agent granted pursuant to this
Security Agreement. At the request and option of the Collateral Agent, each
Grantor will take any actions necessary to cause (i) the issuers of
uncertificated securities which are Collateral and which are Securities and (ii)
any financial intermediary which is the holder of any Investment Property, to
cause the Collateral Agent to have and retain Control over such Securities or
other Investment Property. Without limiting the foregoing, each Grantor will, if
reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, with respect to Investment
Property that is Collateral held with a financial intermediary, use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause such financial intermediary to enter into a control
agreement with the Collateral Agent in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent agrees with each of
the Grantors that the Collateral Agent shall not give any entitlement orders or
instructions or directions to any such issuer or intermediary, and shall not
withhold its consent to the exercise of any withdrawal or dealing rights by any
Grantor, unless a Roto-Rooter Default has occurred and is continuing, or, after
giving effect to any such investment and withdrawal rights, would occur. If the
Collateral Agent does give any entitlement orders or instructions or directions
pursuant to this Section 4.4,

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     the Collateral Agent agrees with each of the Grantors that the Collateral
     Agent shall withdraw any entitlement orders or instructions or directions
     within three (3) Business Days after all Roto-Rooter Defaults have been
     cured or waived. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any
     financial assets credited to a "Securities Account" (as defined in Article
     8 of the New York UCC) for which the Collateral Agent is the "Securities
     Intermediary" (as defined in Article 8 of the New York UCC).

          4.5. STOCK AND OTHER OWNERSHIP INTERESTS.

          4.5.1 REGISTRATION OF PLEDGED SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENT
     PROPERTY. Each Grantor will permit any registerable Collateral owned by
     such Grantor to be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its
     nominee at any time at the election of the Collateral Agent upon the
     occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default.

          4.5.2 EXERCISE OF RIGHTS IN PLEDGED SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENT
     PROPERTY. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter
     Default, each Grantor will permit the Collateral Agent or its nominee at
     any time, without notice, to exercise all voting and corporate rights
     relating to the Collateral, including, without limitation, exchange,
     subscription or any other rights, privileges, or options pertaining to any
     corporate securities or other ownership interests or Investment Property in
     or of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or limited liability
     company constituting Collateral and the Stock Rights as if it were the
     absolute owner thereof.

          4.5.3 ADDITIONAL EQUITY INTERESTS. Each Grantor agrees that if, on or
     after the date on which such Grantor becomes subject hereto, such Grantor
     forms a Subsidiary or acquires equity interests in a Person and is required
     pursuant to the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents to pledge any Instruments,
     Securities or other Investment Property resulting therefrom to the
     Collateral Agent as Collateral hereunder, such Grantor shall upon request
     by the Collateral Agent, within the time periods provided therein, execute
     and deliver to the Collateral Agent a supplement to this Security Agreement
     amending Exhibit "E" to include any such pledged Instruments, Securities or
     other Investment Property.

          4.6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Each Grantor agrees that if, on or after
the date on which such Grantor becomes subject hereto, such Grantor obtains
rights to, or applies for or seeks registration of, any new patentable
invention, trademark or copyright in addition to the patents, trademarks and
copyrights described in Exhibit "B", which are all of such Grantor's patents,
trademarks and copyrights as of the date of this Security Agreement (or, if
applicable, as of the date of its delivery of a Security Agreement Supplement),
then such Grantor shall give the Collateral Agent prompt notice thereof, but in
any event not less frequently than quarterly, and the security interest granted
to the Collateral Agent hereunder shall automatically apply thereto. Each
Grantor agrees promptly upon request by the Collateral Agent to execute and
deliver to the Collateral Agent any supplement to this Security Agreement or any
other document reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to evidence such
security interest in a form appropriate for recording in the

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applicable federal office. Each Grantor also hereby authorizes the Collateral
Agent to modify this Security Agreement unilaterally (i) by amending Exhibit "B"
to include any future patents, trademarks and/or copyrights of which the
Collateral Agent receives notification from such Grantor pursuant hereto and
(ii) by recording, in addition to and not in substitution for this Security
Agreement, a duplicate original of this Security Agreement containing in Exhibit
"B" a description of such future patents, trademarks and/or copyrights; provided
that any Grantor shall have the right, exercisable within ten (10) days after it
has been notified by the Collateral Agent of the specific identification of such
patents, trademarks and/or copyrights, to advise the Collateral Agent in writing
of any inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by such Grantor
hereunder with respect to such patents, trademarks and/or copyrights, as
applicable. Each Grantor agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to take such action as shall be necessary in order that all
representations and warranties hereunder shall be true and correct with respect
to such patents, trademarks and/or copyrights within thirty (30) days after the
date it has been notified by the Collateral Agent of the specific identification
of such patents, trademarks and/or copyrights.

     4.7. COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS. Each Grantor agrees that if, on or after the
date on which such Grantor becomes subject hereto, such Grantor identifies the
existence of a commercial tort claim belonging to such Grantor that has arisen
in the course of such Grantor's business in addition to the commercial tort
claims described in Exhibit "C" pursuant to which the applicable Grantor
reasonably expects to recover in excess of $5,000,000, then such Grantor shall
give the Collateral Agent prompt notice thereof, but in any event not less
frequently than quarterly. Each Grantor agrees promptly upon request by the
Collateral Agent to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent any supplement
to this Security Agreement or any other document reasonably requested by the
Collateral Agent to evidence the grant of a security interest therein in favor
of the Collateral Agent.

     4.8. OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND PARTNERSHIPS.
Each Grantor agrees that if, on or after the date on which such Grantor becomes
subject hereto, (i) any limited partnership interests or ownership interests in
a limited liability company which are included within the Collateral owned by
such Grantor shall at any time constitute a Security or (ii) the issuer of any
such interests shall take any action to have such interests treated as a
Security, then such Grantor shall (x) promptly deliver all certificates or other
documents constituting such Security to the Collateral Agent and shall cause
such Security to be properly defined as such under Article 8 of the Uniform
Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdiction, whether as a result of actions
by the issuer thereof or otherwise, or (y) use commercially reasonable efforts
to cause the Collateral Agent's entry into a control agreement with the issuer
of such Security or with a securities intermediary relating to such Security and
shall cause such Security to be defined as such under Article 8 of the Uniform
Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdiction, whether as a result of actions
by the issuer thereof or otherwise.

     4.9. INSURANCE. Each Grantor shall comply with the terms of the Roto-
Rooter Credit Documents with respect to maintaining insurance.

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                                    ARTICLE V

                        REMEDIES UPON ROTO-ROOTER DEFAULT

     5.1. ACCELERATION AND REMEDIES. Upon the acceleration of any Obligation
pursuant to the terms of the applicable Roto-Rooter Credit Document, the
Collateral Agent may, in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor
Agreement, to the extent permitted by law, exercise any or all of the following
rights and remedies:

          5.1.1 Those rights and remedies provided in this Security Agreement or
     any Roto-Rooter Credit Document, provided that this Section 5.1.1 shall not
     be understood to limit any rights or remedies available to the Collateral
     Agent and the Roto-Rooter Creditors prior to a Roto- Rooter Default.

          5.1.2 Those rights and remedies available to a secured party under the
     New York UCC (whether or not the New York UCC applies to the affected
     Collateral) or under any other applicable law (including, without
     limitation, any law governing the exercise of a bank's right of setoff or
     bankers' lien) when a debtor is in default under a security agreement.

          5.1.3 Without notice except as specifically provided in Section 8.1 or
     elsewhere herein, sell, lease, assign, grant an option or options to
     purchase or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof in one
     or more parcels at public or private sale, for cash, on credit or for
     future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem
     commercially reasonable.

The Collateral Agent, on behalf of the secured parties, may comply with any
applicable state or federal law requirements in connection with a disposition of
the Collateral and such compliance will not be considered to adversely affect
the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

     5.2. GRANTORS' OBLIGATIONS UPON ROTO-ROOTER DEFAULT. Upon the request of
the Collateral Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Roto-Rooter Default, each Grantor will:

          5.2.1 ASSEMBLY OF COLLATERAL. Assemble and make available to the
     Collateral Agent the Collateral and all records relating thereto at any
     place or places reasonably specified by the Collateral Agent.

          5.2.2 SECURED PARTY ACCESS. Permit the Collateral Agent, by the
     Collateral Agent's representatives and agents, to enter any premises where
     all or any part of the Collateral, or the books and records relating
     thereto, or both, are located, to take possession of all or any part of the
     Collateral and to remove all or any part of the Collateral.

     5.3. LICENSE. The Collateral Agent is hereby granted a license or other
right to use, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto- Rooter
Default, without

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<PAGE>

charge, each Grantor's labels, patents, copyrights, rights of use of any name,
trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, customer lists and
advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the
Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any
Collateral, and, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter
Default, such Grantor's rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements
shall inure to the Collateral Agent's benefit. In addition, each Grantor hereby
irrevocably agrees that the Collateral Agent may, upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of a Roto- Rooter Default, sell any of such Grantor's Inventory
directly to any Person, including without limitation Persons who have previously
purchased such Grantor's Inventory from such Grantor and in connection with any
such sale or other enforcement of the Collateral Agent's rights under this
Security Agreement, may sell Inventory which bears any trademark owned by or
licensed to such Grantor and any Inventory that is covered by any copyright
owned by or licensed to such Grantor and the Collateral Agent may finish any
work in process and affix any trademark owned by or licensed to such Grantor and
sell such Inventory as provided herein.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                        WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES

     No delay or omission of the Collateral Agent or any Roto-Rooter Creditor to
exercise any right or remedy granted under this Security Agreement shall impair
such right or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any Roto-Rooter Default
or an acquiescence therein, and any single or partial exercise of any such right
or remedy shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right or remedy. No waiver, amendment or other variation
of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Security Agreement whatsoever
shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Collateral Agent and each
Grantor, and then only to the extent in such writing specifically set forth,
provided that the addition of any Subsidiary as a Grantor hereunder by execution
of a Security Agreement Supplement (with such modifications as shall be
acceptable to the Collateral Agent) shall not require receipt of any consent
from or execution of any documentation by any other Grantor party hereto. All
rights and remedies contained in this Security Agreement or by law afforded
shall be cumulative and all shall be available to the Collateral Agent and the
Roto-Rooter Creditors until the Obligations have been paid in full.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                       PROCEEDS; COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES

     7.1. COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES. The Collateral Agent may at any time upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, by giving
each Grantor written notice, elect to require that the Receivables be paid
directly to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Roto-Rooter Creditors.
In such event, each Grantor shall, and shall permit the Collateral Agent to,
promptly notify the account debtors or obligors under the Receivables owing to
such Grantor of the Collateral Agent's interest therein and direct such account
debtors or obligors to make payment of all amounts then or

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<PAGE>

thereafter due under such Receivables directly to the Collateral Agent. Upon
receipt of any such notice from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall
thereafter hold in trust for the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Roto-Rooter
Creditors, all amounts and proceeds received by it with respect to the
Receivables and Other Collateral and immediately and at all times thereafter
deliver to the Collateral Agent all such amounts and proceeds in the same form
as so received, whether by cash, check, draft or otherwise, with any necessary
endorsements. The Collateral Agent shall hold and apply funds so received as
provided by the terms of Sections 7.2 and 7.3.

     7.2. SPECIAL COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, the Collateral Agent may require all cash
proceeds of the Collateral to be deposited in the Collateral Account (as defined
in the Intercreditor Agreement) with the Collateral Agent and held there as
security for the Obligations. No Grantor shall have control over the Collateral
Account. If no Roto-Rooter Default has occurred or is continuing, the Collateral
Agent may, in its sole reasonable discretion and in accordance with the
Roto-Rooter Credit Documents, transfer amounts on deposit in the Collateral
Account to the Borrower's general operating account with the Collateral Agent.
The Borrower shall remit amounts on deposit in such general operating account to
the other Grantors as it shall determine in its reasonable discretion or as
agreed to by the Borrower and the other Grantors. Neither the Collateral Agent
nor any Roto-Rooter Creditor shall have any duty or obligation to determine or
direct the distribution or application of amounts on deposit in such general
operating account. Each Grantor agrees and confirms that it shall not bring any
claim or charge against the Collateral Agent or any Roto-Rooter Creditor in
connection with the Borrower's distribution or application of amounts on deposit
in the aforementioned general operating account. If any Roto-Rooter Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent may, from time to time, apply,
in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the collected
balances in the Collateral Account to the payment of the Obligations when due.
When all such Roto-Rooter Defaults have been cured or waived, all such collected
balances shall be promptly released to the Borrower.

     7.3. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of the Collateral shall be
applied by the Collateral Agent to payment of the Obligations in accordance with
the Intercreditor Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     8.1. NOTICE OF DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL; CONDITION OF COLLATERAL. To the
extent permitted by law, each Grantor hereby waives notice of the time and place
of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other disposition
of all or any part of the Collateral may be made. To the extent such notice may
not be waived under applicable law, any notice made shall be deemed reasonable
if sent to the applicable Grantor, addressed as set forth in Article IX, at
least ten (10) days prior to (i) the date of any such public sale or (ii) the
time after which any such private sale or other disposition may be made. The
Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to clean-up or otherwise prepare the

                                       17

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Collateral for sale. The Collateral Agent also shall have no obligat ion to
make any representation or warranty with respect to the Collateral.

     8.2. COMPROMISES AND COLLECTION OF COLLATERAL. Each Grantor and the
Collateral Agent recognize that setoffs, counterclaims, defenses and other
claims may be asserted by obligors with respect to certain of the Receivables,
that certain of the Receivables may be or become uncollectible in whole or in
part and that the expense and probability of success in litigating a disputed
Receivable may exceed the amount that reasonably may be expected to be recovered
with respect to a Receivable. In view of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that
the Collateral Agent may at any time and from time to time, if a Roto-Rooter
Default has occurred and is continuing, compromise with the obligor on any
Receivable, accept in full payment of any Receivable such amount as the
Collateral Agent in its sole discretion shall determine or abandon any
Receivable, and any such action by the Collateral Agent shall be commercially
reasonable so long as the Collateral Agent acts in good faith based on
information known to it at the time it takes any such action.

     8.3. SECURED PARTY PERFORMANCE OF GRANTOR OBLIGATIONS. Without having any
obligation to do so, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Roto-Rooter Default, the Collateral Agent may perform or pay any obligation
which any Grantor has agreed to perform or pay in this Security Agreement and
such Grantor shall reimburse the Collateral Agent for any amounts paid by the
Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 8.3. Each Grantor's obligation to
reimburse the Collateral Agent pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be an
Obligation payable on demand.

     8.4. AUTHORIZATION FOR COLLATERAL AGENT TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTION. Each
Grantor irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to
time in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent and appoints the Collateral
Agent as its attorney in fact, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor
Agreement, (i) to file, on behalf of such Grantor as debtor, financing
statements necessary or desirable in the Collateral Agent's sole discretion to
perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of the Collateral Agent's
security interest in the Collateral, (ii) upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, to indorse and collect any cash proceeds
of the Collateral, (iii) to file a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of
this Security Agreement or any financing statement with respect to the
Collateral as a financing statement and to file any other financing statement or
amendment of a financing statement (which does not add new collateral or add a
debtor) in such offices as the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion deems
necessary or desirable to perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of
the Collateral Agent's security interest in the Collateral, (iv) subject to
Section 4.4, to contact and enter into one or more agreements with the issuers
of uncertificated securities which are Collateral and which are Securities or
with financial intermediaries holding other Investment Property as may be
necessary or advisable to give the Collateral Agent Control over such Securities
or other Investment Property, (v) subject to the terms of Section 7.1, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, to enforce
payment of the Receivables in the name of the Collateral Agent or such Grantor,
(vi) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, to
apply the proceeds of any Collateral received by the Collateral Agent to the

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<PAGE>

Obligations as provided in Article VII and (vii) to discharge past due taxes,
assessments, charges, fees or Liens on the Collateral (except for such Liens as
are specifically permitted hereunder), and each Grantor agrees to reimburse the
Collateral Agent on demand for any payment made or any expense incurred by the
Collateral Agent in connection therewith, provided that this authorization shall
not relieve any Grantor of any of its obligations under this Security Agreement
or under any Roto-Rooter Credit Document.

     8.5. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. Each Grantor acknowledges
and agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Sections 4.1.4,
4.1.5, 4.3, 5.3, or 8.7 or in Article VII will cause irreparable injury to the
Collateral Agent and the Roto-Rooter Creditors, that the Collateral Agent and
the Roto-Rooter Creditors have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such
breaches and therefore agrees, without limiting the right of the Collateral
Agent or the Roto-Rooter Creditors to seek and obtain specific performance of
other obligations of the Grantors contained in this Security Agreement, that the
covenants of the Grantors contained in the Sections referred to in this Section
8.5 shall, to the extent permitted by law, be specifically enforceable against
the Grantors.

     8.6. USE AND POSSESSION OF CERTAIN PREMISES. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of a Roto-Rooter Default, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled
to occupy and use any premises owned or leased by the Grantors where any of the
Collateral or any records relating to the Collateral are located until the
Obligations are paid in full or the Collateral is removed therefrom, whichever
first occurs, without any obligation to pay any Grantor for such use and
occupancy.

     8.7. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. The terms and provisions of this Security
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Grantors, the
Collateral Agent and the Roto-Rooter Creditors and their respective permitted
successors and permitted assigns (including all Persons who become bound as a
debtor to this Security Agreement), except that the Grantors shall not have the
right to assign their rights or delegate their obligations under this Security
Agreement or any interest herein, without the prior written consent of the
Collateral Agent.

     8.8. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All representations and warranties of the
Grantors contained in this Security Agreement shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Security Agreement.

     8.9. EXPENSES. The Grantors shall reimburse the Collateral Agent for any
and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable out-of- pocket
attorneys', auditors' and accountants' fees) paid or incurred by the Collateral
Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
collection and, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Roto-Rooter
Default, enforcement of this Agreement and in the audit, analysis,
administration, collection, preservation or sale of the Collateral (including
the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and charges associated with any periodic
or special audit of the Collateral). Any and all costs and expenses incurred by
the Grantors in the performance of actions required pursuant to the terms hereof
shall be borne solely by the Grantors.

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<PAGE>

     8.10. HEADINGS. The title of and section headings in this Security
Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the
interpretation of any of the terms and provisions of this Security Agreement.

     8.11. TERMINATION.

          8.11.1 This Security Agreement and all security interests granted
     hereby shall terminate when all the Obligations have been paid in full
     (other than obligations to pay fees and expenses with respect to which the
     Borrower has not received an invoice, Rate Management Obligations,
     contingent indemnity obligations and other contingent obligations) and the
     Lenders have no further commitment to lend under the Existing Credit
     Agreement, the LC Obligations have been reduced to zero and the LC Issuer
     has no further obligations to issue Facility LCs under the Existing Credit
     Agreement.

          8.11.2 A Grantor shall automatically be released from its obligations
     hereunder and the security interest in the Collateral of such Grantor
     granted hereby shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any
     transaction permitted by the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents as a result of
     which such Grantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

               8.11.3 Upon any sale or other transfer by any Grantor of any
     Collateral that is not prohibited by the Roto-Rooter Credit Documents, or
     upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the
     security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to the
     Intercreditor Agreement, the security interest in such Collateral shall be
     automatically released.

                    8.11.4 In connection with any termination or release
               pursuant to Section 8.11.1, 8.11.2 or 8.11.3, the Collateral
               Agent shall execute and deliver to any Grantor, at such Grantor's
               expense, all documents that such Grantor shall reasonably request
               to evidence such termination or release.

     8.12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Security Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between the Grantors and the Collateral Agent
relating to the Collateral and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the Grantors and the Collateral Agent relating to the
Collateral.

     8.13. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; JURY TRIAL.

          8.13.1 GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
     ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
     OBLIGATIONS LAW BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS
     OR PRINCIPLES THEREOF) OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO
     FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL BANKS.

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<PAGE>

               8.13.2 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
          SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL
          OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN NEW
          YORK, NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO
          OR CONNECTED WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT,
          DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH,
          AND EACH GRANTOR HEREBY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH
          ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD OR DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. ANY
          JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BY ANY GRANTOR AGAINST THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE
          ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE TRUSTEE, ANY LENDER OR ANY HOLDER OF SECURED
          OBLIGATIONS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE
          ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE TRUSTEE, ANY LENDER OR ANY HOLDER OF SECURED
          OBLIGATIONS INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER IN ANY WAY
          ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT
          OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED
          IN CONNECTION HEREWITH MAY BE BROUGHT IN A COURT IN THE BOROUGH OF
          MANHATTAN IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT
          OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE TRUSTEE, ANY
          LENDER OR ANY HOLDER OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS TO BRING PROCEEDINGS
          AGAINST SUCH GRANTOR OR LIMIT THE RIGHTS OF ANY GRANTOR TO BRING
          PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SUCH OTHER PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER
          JURISDICTION.

               8.13.3 VENUE. EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
          (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION OF THE LAYING OF VENUE
          OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS) WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
          HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH
          RESPECT TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT
          OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH IN ANY
          JURISDICTION SET FORTH ABOVE.

               8.13.4 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
          WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY JUDICIAL
          PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER
          SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF,
          RELATED TO OR CONNECTED WITH THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM
          IN

                                       21

<PAGE>

          CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT,
          DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH.
          EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM,
          DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL
          WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL
          COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS
          WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF
          THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

               8.13.5 ADVICE OF COUNSEL. EACH OF THE PARTIES REPRESENTS TO EACH
          OTHER PARTY HERETO THAT IT HAS DISCUSSED THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND,
          SPECIFICALLY, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 8.14, WITH ITS COUNSEL.

     8.14. INDEMNITY. Each Grantor hereby agrees, jointly with the other
Grantors and severally, to indemnify each of the Collateral Agent and each of
the Roto-Rooter Creditors, and their respective permitted successors, assigns,
agents and employees (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), from and against
any and all liabilities, damages, penalties, suits and related reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of any kind and nature (including, without
limitation, all such reasonable out-of pocket expenses of litigation or
preparation therefor whether or not the Collateral Agent or any Roto-Rooter
Creditor is a party thereto) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the
Collateral Agent or the Roto-Rooter Creditors, or their respective permitted
successors, assigns, agents and employees (collectively, the "Indemnified
Amounts"), in any way relating to or arising out of this Security Agreement, or
the manufacture, purchase, acceptance, rejection, ownership, delivery, lease,
possession, use, operation, condition, sale, return or other disposition of any
Collateral (including, without limitation, latent and other defects, whether or
not discoverable by the Collateral Agent or the Roto-Rooter Creditors or any
Grantor, and any claim for patent, trademark or copyright infringement);
provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any single Indemnified Party, be
available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final
and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnified Party.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     NOTICES

     9.1. SENDING NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under
this Security Agreement shall be sent (and deemed received) in the manner and to
the addresses set forth in Article XIII of the Existing Credit Agreement and
Article XII of the Note Indenture and any such notice delivered to the Borrower
shall be deemed to have been delivered to all of the Grantors.

                                       22

<PAGE>

       9.2. CHANGE IN ADDRESS FOR NOTICES. Each of the Grantors, the Collateral
Agent and the Roto-Rooter Creditors may change the address for service of notice
upon it by a notice in writing to the other parties.

                                    ARTICLE X

                              THE COLLATERAL AGENT

     Bank One, NA has been appointed Collateral Agent for the Roto-Rooter
Creditors hereunder pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed by the parties to this Security Agreement that any
authority conferred upon the Collateral Agent hereunder is subject to the terms
of the delegation of authority made by the Roto-Rooter Creditors pursuant to the
Intercreditor Agreement, and that the Collateral Agent has agreed to act (and
any successor Collateral Agent shall act) as such hereunder only on the express
conditions contained in such Intercreditor Agreement. Any successor Collateral
Agent appointed pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be entitled to all
the rights, interests and benefits of the Collateral Agent hereunder. The
Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, and the Trustee, on behalf of
the holders of the Notes, shall promptly notify the Grantors of any successor
Collateral Agent; provided, however, that failure to provide such notice shall
not limit or impair the rights and remedies of such successor Collateral Agent
or the Roto-Rooter Creditors hereunder.

               The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.

                                       23

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Grantors and the Collateral Agent have
executed this Security Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                ROTO-ROOTER, INC.
                                CCR OF OHIO, INC.
                                COMFORT CARE HOLDINGS CO.
                                COMPLETE PLUMBING SERVICES, INC.
                                CONSOLIDATED HVAC, INC.
                                JET RESOURCE, INC.
                                NUROTOCO OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
                                NUROTOCO OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
                                R.R. UK, INC.
                                ROTO-ROOTER CORPORATION
                                ROTO-ROOTER DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
                                ROTO-ROOTER MANAGEMENT COMPANY
                                ROTO-ROOTER SERVICES COMPANY
                                R.R. PLUMBING SERVICES CORPORATION
                                SERVICE AMERICA NETWORK, INC.

                                By:  /s/ Naomi C. Dallob
                                     ----------------------
                                     Name: Naomi C. Dallob
                                     Title: Secretary

                                HOSPICE CARE INCORPORATED
                                 HOSPICE, INC.
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF FLORIDA
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF OHIO
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA
                                VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN
                                VITAS HME SOLUTIONS, INC.
                                 VITAS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                VITAS HOSPICE SERVICES, L.L.C.

                                By:  /s/ Timothy S. O'Toole
                                     ------------------------
                                      Name: Timothy S. O'Toole
                                      Title: President

                                VITAS HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS, L.P.

                                By:   Vitas Hospice Services, L.L.C.,
                                      its General Partner

                                By:  /s/ Timothy S. O'Toole
                                     -----------------------
                                     Name: Timothy S. O'Toole
                                     Title: President

                                BANK ONE, NA (MAIN OFFICE CHICAGO), as
                                Collateral Agent

                                By:  /s/ Thomas J. Reinhold
                                     -----------------------
                                Name:  Thomas J. Reinhold
                                Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                    ANNEX I

                                       to

                          SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT

          Reference is hereby made to the Pledge and Security Agreement (as the
same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Security Agreement"), dated as of February 24, 2004, made by Roto-
Rooter, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), and certain of its
Subsidiaries party thereto on such date (each an "Initial Grantor", and together
with any additional Subsidiaries, including the undersigned, which become
parties thereto by executing a Security Agreement Supplement in substantially
the form hereof, the "Grantors"), in favor of the Collateral Agent. Capitalized
terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them
in the Security Agreement. By its execution below, the undersigned, [NAME OF NEW
GRANTOR], a [_________] [corporation/limited liability company] agrees to
become, and does hereby become, a Grantor under the Agreement and agrees to be
bound by such Agreement as if originally a party thereto. By its execution
below, the undersigned represents and warrants as to itself that all of the
representations and warranties contained in the Agreement are true and correct
in all material respects as of the date hereof. [NAME OF NEW GRANTOR] represents
and warrants that the supplements to the Exhibits to the Agreement attached
hereto are true and correct in all material respects and such supplements set
forth all information required to be scheduled under the Agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [NAME OF NEW GRANTOR], a [__________________]
[corporation/limited liability company] has executed and delivered this Annex I
counterpart to the Agreement as of this ___________ day of ____________, 20___.
[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

                                By:__________________________
                                Name:
                                Title: