Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus./NSW, Qld) cabbage.

1897

‘6x8’ [Dick Holt] in Bulletin (Sydney) 7 Aug. red page/3: Cabbage - ‘Leprosy.’ Only lately used in Q. and western N.S. Wales, from the association of leprosy with the Chinese bush-gardener. ‘Pass the leprosy !’ Ugh! (Often heard at dinner-time in shearers’ huts).