Died. Bruce Biossat, 64, political reporter and columnist for the Newspaper Enterprise Association whose words appeared in more than 400 newspapers; of a heart attack; in Washington, D.C. Respected by fellow journalists for his comprehensive knowledge of politics, Biossat drew on a wide, carefully cultivated network of sources for his reportage and weekly columns. -

Died. Adelle Davis, 70, spunky preacher of the good-eating gospel; of bone cancer; in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Trained as a dietitian and holder of a master's degree in biochemistry, Davis contended that improper diet is the cause of a broad gamut of diseases as well as such social afflictions as crime, mental illness and drug abuse. In four bestselling volumes (Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit, et al.), she urged readers to shun refined grains and packaged foods, eat organically grown fruits and vegetables, unprocessed cheese and fertilized eggs, and take large doses of vitamins as a chaser. She came under fire from scientific critics who often agreed with her nutritional dicta but felt she oversimplified the etiology and prevention of disease. The earthy, outspoken Davis was unfazed. "I'm a mother figure," she once said, "and many people hate their mothers as much as they love them." She attributed her own fatal illness to "junk food" consumed in earlier years and to extensive X rays she had endured when applying for life insurance.

Died. Donald Crisp, 93, Hollywood character actor for more than half a century; in Van Nuys, Calif. Crisp made his movie debut in 1906 doing muta-scopes (still pictures flipped before the viewer's eye). Second in command to Director D.W. Griffith on The Birth of a Nation (1915), Crisp directed the film's battle scenes and played the part of General Grant. In 1941 he earned an Oscar for portraying Mr. Morgan in How Green Was My Valley, his 135th film, then went on to make some 300 more movies. He appeared as Elizabeth Taylor's father in National Velvet (1944), and was last seen as Grandpa in the 1963 heart-warmer Spencer's Mountain.

Died. Edward King Gaylord, 101, grand old man of the newspaper business; of an apparent heart attack; in Oklahoma City. In 1902 Gaylord bought a piece of the Daily Oklahoman and set up the Oklahoma Publishing Co.--today a conglomerate holding two newspapers, a magazine, eight radio and TV stations, and Oklahoma's largest truck-big express service. A staunch conservative and Prohibitionist, Gaylord practiced daily calisthenics, made business trips well into his 90s, and put in a full day at the office the day of his death.

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