As a military culture, it would be cultured directly from the bacterium. Botulinus toxin will be destroyed by heat. The toxin is easy to produce. Deliberate poisoning might produce acute symptoms within an hour. Doses of the toxin as small as one-tenth of a microgram have been known to kill.
Ingestion is a more efficient means of infection than injection or entry through wounds.
Botulinus toxin first affects the gastrointestinal tract causing cramps, constipation, vomiting, and finally nausea. Next comes blurred vision and the impression of eyestrain followed by double vision and a feeling of vertigo. The eyelids will involuntarily droop as the toxin begins to affect muscle coordination and strength. At this point the small muscles of the hands and feet, and then the arms and legs will feel increasingly weak. Throughout these symptoms the victim will maintain normal consciousness and judgement.