Feeling anxious? Irritable, too? Has the stamina that used to fuel days and burn up the nights hit the road? …

Check your engines, gentlemen. There are thousands of males out there in the same sorry state, but now — thanks to a research scientist in Scotland — the condition has a name.

"Irritable Male Syndrome," that state of hypersensitivity, frustration and anger is now used to describe men who suffer from testosterone deficiency. And while the condition may have been around for ages, the diagnosis suggests that men may be just as vulnerable to the complexities of biology as women. "This is very common," said Dr. Philip Aliotta. "Low levels of testosterone manifest in irritability, depression, weak muscles, loss of self-esteem. Men have no interest in the joys of life. Their libido has dropped. Their interest in intimacy is declining. Sexual function diminishes. Work performance suffers. Oftentimes they are misdiagnosed as being depressed.

It has to be said that her husband, Prince Philip, hasn't helped the monarchist cause by asking an aboriginal leader: Do you still throw spears at each other? The Prince, bored by more than half a century in the passive role of royal consort, specialises in this kind of remark. On a visit to China, he once referred to the Chinese as slitty-eyed. The Australian tribal leader, William Brin, to whom he addressed the enquiry, said he wasn't offended but surprised. I just told him: 'No, we don't do that any more', he said. There has been the predictable outcry, but it doesn't seem an altogether unreasonable question, given the tendency of some Australian aboriginals to emphasise their tribal roots by dancing semi-naked, painting their bodies, and doing other old-fashioned things. Who knows? They might easily still throw spears at each other. But obviously it was unwise of the Prince to ask the question. It may be that he suffers from the newly identified Irritable Male Syndrome.