Experiments were performed on the isolated rabbit hearts and also on the hearts with complete atrioventricular block; a study was made of the effect of an excess or deficiency of the sulfhydryl groups on the automatism of the cardiac pace makers. Unithiol and cysteine in concentrations of 1-10(-6)-1-10(-4) g/ml were used as donors of sulfhydryl groups; deficiency of these groups was induced by the alloxan administration in concentrations of 1-10(-5)-5-10(-5) g/ml. Changes in the sulfhydryl group content produced no marked effect on the automatism of the synoatrial node. An excess of sulfhydryl groups promoted poststimulation depression of the automatism of the potential pace makers of the cardiac ventricles and could lead to the origination of Luciani's periods. On the contrary, in case of a deficiency of the sulfhydryl groups there was a sharp elevation of the automatism of the ventricular pace makers, the atrioventricular conduction became disturbed, and the poststimulation depression of the automatism became considerably diminished. Disturbances of the cardiac activity caused by the sulfhydryl group deficiency were completely eliminated by unithiol or cysteine.