In 400 BCE, Greek historian Herodotus wrote of Scythians archers from the Black Sea region that used poison-tipped arrows.

Herodotus reported the Scythians used decomposed bodies of venomous adders (snake: Vipera berus) indigenous to their region, mixed human blood and dung into sealed vessels and buried the mixture until putrefied.

This poison most probably contained bacteria from gangrene and tetanus (Clostridium perfringins and Clostridium tetani). The venom poisonous would attack red blood cells, nervous system and induce respiratory paralysis.