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Tongue-splitting ban slices its way through Legislature
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | May 1, 2003 | BRYAN SMITH

Posted on 05/01/2003 3:16:36 AM PDT by sarcasm

Lawmakers have been known to split hairs.

Splitting tongues, they're not so crazy about.

So David Miller, the state representative from Calumet City and a practicing dentist, is serious when he talks about recent legislation he's introduced.

Miller, a Democrat, is sponsoring a bill that would all but ban what has become the latest craze in "body modification"--slicing the tongue in half to create a reptilian appearance.

It's a practice akin to body piercings and tattoos. But detractors like Miller say it carries risks of infection and even death if not performed by licensed medical people and surgeons.

That's why Miller wants to ensure that only physicians perform the procedure, and for sound medical reasons.

If properly done the procedure isn't necessarily harmful, he acknowledges. Still, it's a trend he'd rather not see catch on.

"You know how fads are," he said. "You just never know what's going to happen. We just thought we'd be pro-active."

According to a Web site devoted to the practice, as well as other procedures such as body piercings and tattoos, tongue splitting is the "central bifurcation of the tongue, so as to achieve a 'forked tongue' appearance."

Some people have split their tongue by getting a large number of tongue piercings, stretching them, and then cutting between them, said Shannon Larratt, who runs www.bmezine.com, and had his own tongue split in 1997.

Others have turned to oral surgeons or tattoo parlors. An Albany, N.Y., doctor did his, Larratt said, and he encourages those who want their tongues split to seek a surgeon, too.

But many medical professionals highly discourage the practice.

Among the risks are striking an artery or the tongue becoming so swollen the patient can't breathe. Massive tongue hemorrhage, edema, abscess formation, tetanus and nerve damage are other reported complications, doctors say.

Larratt doesn't deny those risks. In fact, he said, the danger of people seeking poorly done "back alley" jobs are precisely why it should be legal.

"A lot of these laws are worded in ways that make it very difficult for a doctor to do it," he said. "What that means is that the qualified practitioners and doctors don't want to risk losing their licenses. So the only people left doing it are hacks that shouldn't be doing it in the first place."

The bill, also endorsed by state Sen. James T. Meeks and similar to legislation in Michigan, has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

"There's really no reason someone should be splitting his or her tongue," Meeks said. "We are simply trying to keep people from hurting themselves."

Larratt sees it differently. "We don't question a person if they want to go in and get just about every other procedure," he said. "Why target this one in such an extreme fashion?"


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: tongue; tonguesplittinge; torture
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1 posted on 05/01/2003 3:16:36 AM PDT by sarcasm
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To: sarcasm
OK, let me be the first to say that I think splitting ones' tongue is stupid - very stupid. But does the government - at any level - really have to try to outlaw stupidity?
2 posted on 05/01/2003 3:22:03 AM PDT by meyer
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To: sarcasm
This article is written with one tongue in each cheek, right? Right?? Please assure me that this is a spoof? Please? Oh, dear.
3 posted on 05/01/2003 3:23:01 AM PDT by T'wit
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To: sarcasm
Imagine that.Our beloved pols under the yoke of Governor
Daley, want lock on them being the only onesable to speak with forked tongue!
4 posted on 05/01/2003 3:24:20 AM PDT by Cheapskate
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To: meyer
When stupidity is outlawed, only democrats will rule.
5 posted on 05/01/2003 3:26:07 AM PDT by tet68 (Jeremiah 51:24 ..."..Before your eyes I will repay Babylon for all the wrong they have done in Zion")
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To: T'wit
Tongue Splitting

What is tongue splitting?
Tongue splitting is the central bifurcation of the tongue, so
as to achieve a "forked tongue".

What are some of the risks related to tongue splitting?
Initial bleeding and infection can be a risk. In a worst-case
situation the tongue can swell and block the airway. As far
as long-term risk, there may be minor changes in some speech
sounds, but this rarely happens.

How can I split my own tongue?
Some people have split their tongue by getting a large number
of tongue piercings, stretching them, and then cutting between
them. The cutting is usually done by tying off using sutues
(or dental floss). While this is a slow method, it can be
gradual, allowing you time to adjust. However, it can also
mean weeks of discomfort.

Where can I get my tongue split?
Contact an oral surgeon for references if you want to have it
done professionally. Dr. Lawrence Busino in Albany NY has done
more than any other doctor in North America, but any oral
surgeon that uses a laser should be able to do it with ease,
if their ethics allow it. There are also some private
practitioners willing to do this procedure using cautery
tools.

How much does it cost?
A doctor will usually charge between $500 and $1000.

How long does it take to heal?
The lasered procedure takes a week or two for primary healing,
with full healing in about a month.

Can one talk normally after getting a tongue splitting?
Yes. There may be a negligible effect that is only noticeable
to those who know you extremely well.

Can the two halves be used separately?
For most people, yes.

Can the procedure be reversed?
Yes. By abbraiding the inside of the split, the tongue can be
put back together. This can result in a slight shortening of
the tongue due to scarring.
6 posted on 05/01/2003 3:28:09 AM PDT by sarcasm (Tancredo 2004)
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To: sarcasm
Called body modification...


Corset piercing


Branding

These people are totally NUTS!

7 posted on 05/01/2003 3:29:42 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: sarcasm
Why?!!!

David models a porcupine quill in his septum.

8 posted on 05/01/2003 3:32:15 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: kcvl
Oh man, those pics make me want to puke.

Thanks, I think.

9 posted on 05/01/2003 3:32:18 AM PDT by Hawkeye's Girl
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To: kcvl
Pics HERE.
10 posted on 05/01/2003 3:33:07 AM PDT by sarcasm (Tancredo 2004)
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To: tet68

11 posted on 05/01/2003 3:33:40 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: sarcasm
Self-mutilation is a mental illness.
12 posted on 05/01/2003 3:34:57 AM PDT by not-an-ostrich
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To: sarcasm
"You know how fads are," he said. "You just never know what's going to happen. We just thought we'd be pro-active."

Who are these people? The ones whose first thought after, "That's disgusting!" is "I need to ban it."

13 posted on 05/01/2003 3:35:03 AM PDT by laredo44
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To: not-an-ostrich

This is SO SICK!!!

14 posted on 05/01/2003 3:35:35 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: laredo44
I hope these people understand that it won't be easy getting a job unless it's at a FREAK SHOW after mutilating themselves.
15 posted on 05/01/2003 3:38:18 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: kcvl
Anyone who dies undergoing, or as a result of, this procedure is doing the human race a favor by removing his/her Darwin Award Winning genes from the gene pool.

I thus oppose this unnecessary and counter-productive legislation.

Certain forms of stupidity SHOULD be fatal.
16 posted on 05/01/2003 3:38:40 AM PDT by Ronin
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To: kcvl
Nothing like multiple weird piercings and a forked tounge to help you compete in a tough job market.
17 posted on 05/01/2003 3:38:44 AM PDT by Diverdogz
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To: kcvl
...you beat me to it.
18 posted on 05/01/2003 3:39:54 AM PDT by Diverdogz
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To: Howlin; Ed_NYC; MonroeDNA; widgysoft; Springman; Timesink; dubyaismypresident; Grani; coug97; ...
Unfortunately this isn't something from "The Onion". There are actually people out there who mutliate themselves this way.

I'm not going to post a photo from this page; as far as I'm concerned, it should come with a warning that it's not for the squeamish: http://www.bmevideo.com/tonguesplit/

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

19 posted on 05/01/2003 3:42:05 AM PDT by mhking
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To: Diverdogz
Tongue Lengthening

What is tongue lengthening and how is it done?
Tongue lengthening is the freeing of the tongue by the cutting of the connective tissue underneath the tongue so that the tongue appears longer (and as far as anything outside of your mouth is concerned, it is longer!).

What are some of the risks related to tongue lengthening?
Outside of standard tongue surgery risks (as with tongue splitting), there are rumored risks of tongue swallowing, but these are probably urban legend.

Can I lengthen my own tongue?
This is not at all recommended, but it may be possible for a SMALL lengthening to rinse with oral xylocaine and then snip the frenulum with a small pair of surgical scissors. It is very important though NOT to cut any blood vessels, which can be quite prominent in this area. In most cases this cut will simply heal closed. Note that this only works if the frenulum is very pronounced. Stick out your tongue as far as possible -- if the frenulum is now stuck between your lower incisors, this procedure will help you.

Where can I have my tongue lengthened?
Oral surgeons and some dentists can perform this relatively simple operation. It can be done at the same time as a tongue splitting, often at no or neglible extra cost.

20 posted on 05/01/2003 3:43:19 AM PDT by kcvl
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