Raedwulf: I am sorry I dont know what poison the Chinese used; but from all accounts it was made from the sap of a tree and was deadly.
The use of bubonic plague bacteria, and gaseous gangrene pus, it caused slow death therefore was not very effective. Chinese knowledge of herbs and medecines was far more advanced. We do know the Romans used Taxol a substance derived from the sap and leaves of the Yew tree (Longbow wood LOL)to poison arrow heads; and just recently a doctor friend of mine was saying they were using Taxol in certain cancer treatments. History is wonderful isn't it?