Harmattan

Harmattan, a hot desiccating wind, prevalent on the Guinea coast during December, January, and February, which blows from the interior to the Atlantic Ocean. It is generally preceded by clouds of extremely fine sand, called 'smokes' or 'fog,' which penetrates everywhere and covers everything. It has a hurtful effect on vegetation, and on the human body, drying up the eyes, nostrils, and mouth, and even causing the skin to peel off. The negroes protect themselves against it by rubbing the body with fat or grease. It has, however, the good effect of checking epidemics, and curing dysentery, fevers, and cutaneous diseases. The harmattan is similar to the Sirocco (q.v.) of Italy.