An article about Dr. Arnold Nicosia two weeks ago prompted us to ask our readers for their reminiscences about this well-loved pediatrician. We received several, some signed, some unsigned. Here are three of them.

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This particular story is my favorite of the experiences I had in managing medical care for our five children. As I was to be discharged from North Shore Hospital Maternity wing and bring home our fourth child, I was worried about the reaction I would receive from our third child a 19-month-old boy. So I asked Dr. Nick if there was anything I could do to help the situation.

"Well," said Dr. Nick. "Have your husband carry the newborn into the house. You walk in and give your full attention to the toddler."

That sounded appropriate and simple enough.

Then as an aside he mentioned: "Oh, and hide the hammer!"

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I will always be grateful for some advice Dr. Nick gave me when I was concerned about a case of sibling rivalry between two of my sons. I told him about the situation and he said, "We all find out eventually that someone else is stronger or smarter or a better athlete than we are. Isn't it better to find that out when you're in a loving home and your family loves you anyway?" It was a great help to me and I'll always be grateful to him.

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On the subject of changing behaviors in young children, I once asked the doctor if I should use a product to paint on the thumbs of our children who sucked their thumbs. His advice on the matter was brief: "thumb-sucking is a source of comfort to young children, and sometimes a way to wind down after activity. Take that away and the child has to find a substitute. More important than stopping the habit, find ways to provide comfort so that the child does not need to suck his thumb." I found that advice so helpful and such a gentle approach to a dilemma which resolved itself without intervention. We parents need the wisdom of experience and his was always an education.

Chris LeVeen