Capsules

P: For six years the Federal Communications Commission has been warning physicians about the use of high-powered diathermy machines that operate outside of prescribed frequency channels. Reason: a diathermy set -in effect, a small radio transmitter -can seriously interfere with broadcast reception and essential radio-safety services like airport-landing systems. Last week U.S. physicians were on notice that the FCC will prosecute, if necessary, to force doctors to abandon their overpowered, off-channel models. By FCC standards, 20,000 of the nation's medical diathermy sets are illegal.

P: Ontario's Dr. Robert G. Bell has devised a handy "Alcodial" to help tipplers decide whether they are in condition to drive home. The subject turns the arrow to the number of drinks (jiggers of hard liquor or cans of beer) he has had* then reads off the amount of alcohol in his blood on a circular dial, next to his body weight. Readings up to 50 (milligrams of alcohol per 100 grams of blood) are safe, from 50 to 100 doubtful (caution is indicated). When the gauge points to more than 100, the subject should promptly get off the road.

* If he can't remember, he should ask to be taken home.

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