The Lost Code

The Health of Habitants

Generally, living conditions in the colony were fairly good. Thanks to the variety of their diet, habitants were healthier than their French counterparts. And their richer diet protected them better against famines. The average life expectancy in the colony—33 for men and 36 for women—was higher than in France, and it was not uncommon to encounter oldtimers in their 60s. Until the late 17th century, the distance between homes in seigneuries also reduced the risk of epidemics. These favorable conditions are why families were so large. Women had an average of nine children, of which only five usually reached adulthood.