The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-18
TALE OF A LEG.
How 1t Remained IN
buried for Months.
Story of How the Leg Was First
Preserved and Then Became
Burden to Druggist.

A rather strange story Of human right
leg-an unattached leg by the way-came
TO light yesterday through an application
made to the Health Office as to what per-
son having limb of this kind in his pos
session should do with it.
At the same time the inquiries were
made the applicant for information stated
that the owner of the unattached relic of
h umanity had shuff1ed off this mortal coil
several months ago and that now it was
high time that some action was taken to
see that his leg was laid away to rest also.
The fact of a man being buried in two
sections in such peculiar way not being
an every day occurrence induced CALL
reporter to investigate the case.
1t did not take long to learn that the
man who had a leg that needed a
grave. was j. Caegaris, the druggist.
and one Of the leaders of the Italian col
ony. 1t also transpired that the linn was
all that remained this side Of the sod and
the dew of the graveyard of G. Gianotti, a
well-known member of the Latin quarter,
who committed suicide from the Oakland
ferry-boat about three months ago. His
remains lie under the green grass of the
Giauotti was close to the Oakland shore
when he took the fatal plunge.
Bnt his leg will rest but among the sand
hills Of the city cemetery. while Mr.. Gale
garis will breathe easisr. having The grue-
some charge off his hands. The manner
in which Mr.. CaleGarIs came into posses
sion of the .eg is as follows; Six months
ago Mr.. GlaDotti was suffering from a
tumor In lis right leg and was treated by
DR.. Barsotti, who finally assured his
patient that the only way that tumor
would be cured was to amDutate the leg.
So the leg was amputated, and as the
tumor was an interesting one from pro
fessiOnal standV ONT, the doctor sent it 10
Mr.. Caegaris with instructions to preserve
it for him in an aDtiseptic solution so that
be might study it al mis- leisure.
But the loss Of his leg affected Clan Otti,
and he grew respondent and weary of life.
A morbid fear that he would never get
we'll terminated in chronic melaD cholia,
and his suicide followed.
1t was this act of his. unexpected as it
was, that left Mr.. Calegars with leg in
his care when he did not want. The
doctor got through with his examination
of the tumor and had no more use for the
limb as curiosity.
In his dilemma Mr.. Calegaris went TO
the Coroner and asked that official TO take
the leg, but Coroner Hughes said ne really
h d no use for the same. as he could not
hold an inquest on it, The body OF Mr.
Gianotti had already been sat upon by the
Oakland Coroner, and the leg should be
where the rest of the body was. He prom
ised to find out and let Mr. Calsgaris know
how he could get rid of the preserved leg.
Mr.. Cslegaris hoped it would be soon, as
the absorption of the solution in which it
was preserved was making it an expensive
article.
Finally yesterday Mr.. Cslegaris learned
thai if he notified the Health Officer the
leg would be taken In charge and properly
in tered. The ceremony will probab bly,
take place this morning.