Digging back thru history, it has wiped out large fractions of populations.
So did childbirth.
1963 was still a statistically safe time to have a baby. Antibiotics, sterile surgical suites and an understanding of prenatal care were all important.
And the 1/3 was for all cause mortality. Prior to antibiotics a simple scratch could kill. Infected teeth killed. Hangnails could kill.
None of which negates the statistic that, in 1963, the odds of dying from measles was about 1.5/100,000. Post measles infections were controlled with antibiotics and as it turns out, vitamin A status is very important when you have measles. If you’re deficient in vitamin A your trip will be a bumpy one in comparison to your sibling who ate their carrots like a good boy.
So to imply that death rate from measles today would be 1/3 is hyperbole of the tallest order. Even in the 1910’s the death rate only approached 15/100,000.
Mash here: (this one has most childhood disease death rates back to 1900)
http://images2.cafemomstatic.com/images/user/gallery/post_179439_1251302392_med.jpg?imageId=16319933
